Ighalo Cried, Called His Mum When He Sealed Manchester United Move

Ighalo Cried, Called His Mum When He Sealed Manchester United Move

Akan Anwankwo
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:49 PM

- Odion Ighalo shares his experience on his deadline day move to Man United

- The 31-year-old signed a season long-long from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua

- The former Nigerian international has scored five goals in 19 appearances for United

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Odion Ighalo has recalled when he was minutes away from sealing Man United move on deadline day in January 2019.

The former Nigerian international earned a dream move to his boyhood club and became the first man from his country to play for the Red Devils.

But the build-up to the deal was something the former Watford forward will never forget in his life as he was among the five strikers shortlisted to complete the move to Old Trafford.

Odion Ighalo cried, called his move when he sealed Man United move
Odion Ighalo cried, called his move when he sealed Man United move. Photo by Xavier Laine
Source: Getty Images

The 31-year-old claims his agent had contacted him that United were interested in his services and he was excited since he got the news.

However, the Premier League club did not get back to the Nigerian who was eager to get an affirmation for his proposed move.

And on deadline day, Ighalo accepted a pay cut and a deal was finally put over the line to the delight of the ex-Granada striker.

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Ighalo told Manchester United Podcast as quoted by Daily Mail:

"My agent told me he wants to see if I can go on loan to the UK, Manchester United were looking for a short loan. Since that day he mentioned this name I did not sleep. He said I wasn't the only option as they have four or five other options.
"But every night I pray and say to God 'don't allow them to take any of the other strikers they're gonna take me.
"I remember I was naked in bed trying to sleep when I got the call and he told me to get up and get changed.
"I ran out of my room and knocked on my director's door. This is 11pm at night the night' and I said 'where is the director my agent wants to speak to him as Manchester United are interested.
"My agent told me I would get a pay cut and I said 'I don't care if I get a pay cut just make the deal happen. I wanna go'.
"My agent showed me offer and when I saw the Manchester United logo on headed paper I was shivering and praying that this happened.
"At 6am I got the message saying the deal went through. I was lying in bed, shedding tears and called my mum.
"Still today it feels like a dream and see how everything happen. My dream club, not everybody has this opportunity for their dream to come true."

Ighalo has scored five goals in 19 appearances for United during the 2019-20 season but is yet to register a goal in the new season.

His contract is set to expire on 31, January 2021, and has been struggling for game time since the signing of Edison Cavani.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo has insisted that he has given his best every time he has the opportunity to play for Manchester United.

The 31-year-old joined the Red Devils from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua in January 2020 but his temporary stay at Old Trafford will come to an end at the end of next month.

He has found the back of the net five times and also assisted one other goal in 23 appearances across competitions.

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