Man United, Watford, NFF and Caf celebrate Ighalo at 31
NEWS DIGEST – Manchester United striker and former Nigeria international Odion Ighalo has been celebrated on his 31st birthday.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Confederation of African Football (Caf), Premier League sides Watford and the Red Devils have sent heartfelt messages to the forward.
The Hornets and the Old Trafford outfit recollected the on-loan Shanghai Shenhua striker’s contribution with videos.
The birthday boy doing what he did best back in 2015 ?
?? @ighalojude ??#GoalOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/8hAg6pe7Q9
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) June 16, 2020
Our birthday boy doing bits v Man City earlier this year ?#MUFC @IghaloJude pic.twitter.com/W2KQ5182DK
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 16, 2020
The forward, who was born on June 16, 1989, in Lagos, was raised in Edo State and started his professional football career with Prime of Osogbo.
He also played for Julius Berger before leaving Nigeria to continue his development in Europe, joining Norwegian side Lyn Oslo in 2007.
Ighalo then moved to Italy to team up with Udinese where he spent six years, including loan spells with Granada and Cesena.
Read Also:
The striker signed for Watford, initially on loan before the deal was made permanent in 2014, and made a significant contribution during his time with the club.
Ighalo scored 36 league goals in 90 appearances for the Vicarage Road Stadium outfit and in December 2015, he was named Premier League Player of the Month following his impressive performances in front of goal.
The forward left the Hornets in 2017 for Chinese Super League side Changchun Yatai and delivered fine displays during his one-year stay, scoring 10 goals in 17 league matches.
He left for rivals Shanghai Shenhua after turning down a chance to join Spanish giants Barcelona and in January he sealed a shock loan switch to Manchester United on transfer deadline day.
Happy birthday to Afcon 2019 top scorer, @ighalojude. Keep soaring, keep shining, and have a good one. ????? pic.twitter.com/tQhsuyCJhM
— The NFF ?? (@thenff) June 16, 2020
?? It's @ighalojude 's birthday! ?
The Nigerian striker was one of the best performing players in the 2019 #TotalAFCON ?
? Team of the Tournament
⚽ Golden Boot (5 goals)
? Bronze medal pic.twitter.com/4B4lbA97uS— CAF (@CAF_Online) June 16, 2020
On the international scene, the striker bagged 16 goals in 35 appearances for the Super Eagles before his sudden retirement after helping the West Africans finish third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where he scooped the top-scorer award.
Ighalo will hope to continue his fine performances when the Premier League resumes on June 17, having recently extended his loan stay with the Red Devils.
