Ighalo joins Al-Hilal from Al-Shabab after AFCON snub

Al-Hilal FC of Saudi Arabia have signed Odion Ighalo, Super Eagles striker, from Al-Shabab FC.

The deal was announced in a tweet on the club’s verified Twitter account on Saturday.

The 32-year-old is joining the Blue Waves for an undisclosed fee. He also reportedly penned a one-and-the-half contract with the Saudi Professional League outfit.

“Welcome the ‘Eagle’, Odion Ighalo,” the tweet read, accompanied by a graphic image of the Nigerian in his club’s colour.

🦅 Welcome the “Eagle” 🤝💙@ighalojude 😍#Ighalo_Hilali #AlHilal pic.twitter.com/jj3jlry0uc

— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) January 29, 2022

Ighalo, who is the current leading goal scorer in the Saudi league with 12 goals, leaves Al Shabab after joining the club in February 2021.

He had joined the Saudi champions following a loan spell at Manchester United.

Ighalo also made a U-turn from his nearly three-year-long international retirement in 2021.

Despite retiring from the Super Eagles in 2019, Gernot Rohr, the former head coach, had lured the Lagos-born striker back to the team.

He was a second-half substitute in the Eagles last World Cup qualification match against Cape Verde in November 2021.

Ighalo was, however unable to link up with the team for the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) — despite being included in the squad.

This was due to a controversial clause in his contract with Al-Shabab.