Odion Ighalo Reveals Reason Why He Left England To Go Play In China Was Because Of Money

Former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo has revealed that one of the reason why he left Premier League side, Watford to join Chinese side, Changchun Yatai, back in 2017, was because of ‘money’.

During an interview with Watford Observer, the former Premier League star revealed that he moved to China because of the £20 million Changchun Yatai were ready to pay for him.

“There’s lot of reasons I went there [China]. I wasn’t playing much in Watford and I did not want to keep sitting on the bench,” Ighalo said.

“Watford fans don’t know it but I had an offer from Crystal Palace on the table and West Bromwich but the club was looking for big money and that’s why I accepted Changchun Yatai at the time.

“So, instead of me sitting down there and not playing I had to move. When the opportunity came for me I accepted it because China could pay what Watford wanted.

“But this is past tense now. I am happy and Watford are happy because they made a lot of money with me. And they are still my team in the Premier League.

“I don’t know about other players. Maybe they go there for different ambitions. Me? Yes, I went there for the money I am honest but I don’t know why other players go there for.”

Ighalo also said he has no regrets over his move to China where the league has continued to grow.

“Before I went there, people said a lot of negative things about the Chinese League but when I went there I saw a different game,” he said.

“The league is really growing, they have a lot of foreign coaches and players who improve the league.

“All I can say is that the Chinese Super League is improving every day and I am very happy about my choice. Regrets? No everything is going well, I am happy there and working hard.”

Meanwhile, Germany born Nigerian Super Eagle’s goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye has revealed why he decided to represent Nigeria professionally instead of Germany, the country of his birth.