Odion Ighalo made his professional breakthrough in Norway, signing with Lyn in 2007 before establishing a career that spanned across Europe, Asia, and his native Nigeria. A versatile forward, he eventually reached the Premier League with Watford and became the first Nigerian to represent Manchester United, leaving a mark as a prolific goalscorer on both club and international stages.
Early Development and Norwegian Debut
Born in 1989 in the Ajegunle district of Lagos, Ighalo began his football journey with Prime and Julius Berger. FIFA agent Marcelo Houseman identified his potential, facilitating a transition to European football with the Norwegian club Lyn. He debuted in the Tippeligaen on 16 September 2007 at age 18. By his second year, his six-goal contribution to the team's seventh-place finish attracted broader attention within the domestic league.
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In 2008, Ighalo signed a five-year contract with the Italian side Udinese. His tenure there was characterized by loan spells, most notably with the Spanish club Granada. His impact in Spain was immediate, where he scored 17 times during his first year and five in the second, contributing significantly to the team's promotion efforts. He briefly returned to Italy for a loan stint with Cesena before eventually making his La Liga debut for Granada in 2011.
Watford and the Premier League
Ighalo joined Watford on loan in 2014, securing a permanent transfer later that same year. He played an integral role in the club's promotion to the Premier League. During the 2015-16 season, his scoring form peaked, notably netting twice against West Ham United and Liverpool. His performance in December 2015 earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award, and he became the club's highest scorer in the competition that season.
International Recognition and Asian Tenures
He played in the 2018 World Cup and finished as the top scorer in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where he also earned a spot in the Team of the Tournament. His club career took him to the Chinese Super League, where he played for Changchun Yatai and Shanghai Shenhua. In 2020, he secured a high-profile loan move to Manchester United, scoring his first goal for the club against Club Brugge in the Europa League.
Fast facts
- Born: 16 June 1989, Lagos, Nigeria
- Professional debut: 16 September 2007
- First Nigerian player at Manchester United
- 2019 Africa Cup of Nations top scorer
- Joined Changchun Yatai for a reported £20 million
- Scored 17 goals in first Granada season
Questions readers ask
Which Premier League clubs did Odion Ighalo play for?
He played for Watford and Manchester United.
What major international tournament did he top score in?
He was the top scorer in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
