Ighalo: I turned down ‘crazy money’ from China

Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo, has claimed he turned down “crazy money” to play in the Chinese in the summer to remain with Watford. 

The 26-year-old signed a new five-year deal at Vicarage Road on Friday and he celebrated that with the lone strike against Swansea City on Saturday to earn his side their first Barclays Premier League win of the season.

But he could have been elsewhere had he not turned down an offer from Hebei China Fortune in the summer because he did not feel it was the right option for him.

“They made an offer to Watford, but I turned it down. It was crazy money, they wanted to give me a lot of money. For my age I don’t think it was a good deal for me,” he said.

“If I play for one season in the Premier League and I do well I think I’m going to get money like that. Sometimes it’s not about money. You have to think about many things – I’m still young, I’m progressing in my career.

“I’m happy to have signed my five-year contract here and I want to keep on working every day and learning every day and then we’ll see what the future holds.”

But the forward, who has 18 goals in 23 games in 2015, insists he will not be taking his foot off the pedal now he has the security of a long-term contract behind him.

“Just because I’ve signed a five-year contract does not mean I’m going to fold my arms because I’ve secured my contract,” he said.

“I want to work hard and keep on improving every day as a player and a striker and helping my team to achieve their goal at the end of this season.”

Ighalo now has two top-flight goals to his name after scoring in the opening day draw at Everton.