I left Watford for China because of money, says Ighalo

Odion Ighalo, former Super Eagles forward, says money was an instrumental factor when he chose China after leaving Watford.

Ighalo left the English Premier League side during the January 2017 winter transfer window for Changchun Yatai for an undisclosed fee.

According to Watford Observer, the former Hornets player said that he has no regret leaving England for China because it has made a remarkable impact in his career.

The 29-year-old star scored 39 goals in 100 appearances in two and a half years at Vicarage Road, including 17 goals in Watford’s first season back in the top flight after securing promotion in 2014/15.

“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,” he said.

“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.

“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.”

He had told TheCable shortly after he moved to China that there was no basis for the comparison between the EPL and Chinese Super League.

He, however, admitted that the CSL is improving.

“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,” he had said.

“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.”

Odion Ighalo moved to Shanghai Shenhua from Changchun Yatai on February 14, 2019.