Lifelong Manchester United fan Odion Ighalo had no hesitation taking a pay cut to complete his dream deadline day move to Old Trafford.
After the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez last summer, United found themselves down to the bare bones in terms of attacking talent at the start of 2020 when Marcus Rashford suffered a back injury.
Considering a move for Erling Haaland failed to materialise at the start of the January window, striking reinforcements became all the more necessary.
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Bournemouth’s Josh King was among a variety of late options considered, with United eventually making a shock move for ex-Watford striker Ighalo on loan from Shanghai Shenhua until the end of the season.
“When we were young back in Nigeria we used to watch the Premier League on TV a lot, when the likes of Andy Cole used to play,” the 30-year-old told the Red Devils’ website.
“People support Man United a lot back there in Nigeria, so I developed that love, because all of my siblings, they are Man United fans.
“I never thought this was going to happen, but dreams do come true, so I’m very happy to be here and this is going to be a big and good challenge for me in my career.”
Ighalo will become the first Nigerian to play for United, having rejected the overtures of other clubs as the deadline loomed.
In fact, United’s new no.25 was so determined to join Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, wages did not come into it.
“A few other clubs had shown interest,” Ighalo said. “I said, ‘please, just pick United, if it’s going to be possible’.
“At 11pm in Shanghai, my agent called me [to say] that United want to do the deal, so I woke up that night and started looking for a translator to go to the directors’ room and hit his door and all that. ‘My agent wants to speak to you, United are coming for me, you have to make this happen’ and all that you know.
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A young Ighalo (left) pictured in a Man United shirt
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“So, they started talking and discussing. I didn’t sleep throughout that night, because it was going to end at 7am, Shanghai time, and the transfer (window) is going to close there.
“So, from 11pm, there was paperwork, negotiating and all that, for the loan deal and all that, so we are talking and other teams are calling them, wanting me, but I told my agent that this is what I want. I want to come here.
“He said you’re going to get a pay cut to go to United. I said I don’t care. Make this deal happen. I want to go to United. I don’t care how much is the pay cut, I know that, make it happen.”
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