Manchester United have confirmed that they have signed Odion Ighalo from Shanghai Greenland Shenhua on loan for the rest of the season.
Manchester United have made an official statement to confirm that they have secured the services of Odion Ighalo. The 30-year-old Nigerian striker has joined the Premier League heavyweights from Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai Greenland Shenhua on loan for the remainder of the season.
Ighalo joined Shanghai Greenland Shenhua from Changchun Yatai last year and enjoyed a decent season with Chinese Super League, with 10 goals in 19 games. The 30-year-old Nigerian striker has spent the last two-and-a-half years in China, having previously spent three years in England with Premier League outfit Watford.
Most goals scored in a single Premier League season by current Man Utd players:
? Odion Ighalo (15)
? Marcus Rashford (14)
? Paul Pogba (13)
? Anthony Martial (11)No wonder they brought him in. ? pic.twitter.com/saNKEBKz4A
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 1, 2020
As the final hours of the January transfer window ticked in, though, it appeared as if a return to the Premier League was on the horizon. Late into deadline day, it emerged that Manchester United had agreed personal terms with him over a shock move.
Manchester United have indeed been in the market for an attacking reinforcement since Marcus Rashford was sidelined with a double stress fracture in his back. With Rashford on the sidelines, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been desperately bereft of goals.
Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood are the only players apart from Rashford who are in double figures for goals scored this season. As a result, it was clear that Manchester United needed another source of goals despite signing the prolific Bruno Fernandes in the winter as well.
To that end, Manchester United were linked with a number of strikers in the last few days, with a move for Ighalo also mooted among these. And, Ighalo’s acquisition has now been confirmed, with the Red Devils signing him for the remainder of the season. Upon the announcement of the deal, Solskjaer placed his faith in the player.
“Odion is an experienced player. He will come in and give us an option of a different type of centre-forward for the short spell he’s staying with us. A great lad and very professional, he will make the most of his time here.”
That Ighalo has prior experience in the Premier League with a proven record while at Watford means that he should ideally take little time in adjusting to his new surroundings. As per reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United have unofficially agreed to include the option to buy Ighalo and it remains to be seen if they indeed exercise the option in the summer.
