Odion Ighalo has evolved from playing soccer on the makeshift turfs of Lagos to becoming the first Nigerian international to make it into the Manchester United senior team set-up in about the space of fifteen years.
With Manchester United’s best striking option in Marcos Rashford injured, the Old Trafford side needed to find reinforcement and quickly. But rarely would anyone have seen the possibility of the former Nigerian International getting into the mix.
In 2018, the 30-year-old was linked with a loan move to Barcelona but the thought of playing second fiddle made the striker reject the offer according to reports.
Events, however, took a scarcely believable turn on Friday when with a few minutes left of the January transfer window, Skysports broke the news of the former Watford talisman agreeing a deal with United. Minutes after, the internet was awash with the news of what must rank as one of the most dramatic deals ever concluded on deadline day.
Within minutes, Ighalo was the top buzz on Twitter’s trend ahead of Brexit on a night the United Kingdom officially walked out of the European Union.
Twitter users did not fail to notice.
Millions of Nigerians follow the EPL and felicitated with the Edo-born in bewildering excitement.
“DREAMS COME TRUE!
The former Julius Berger forward has been an ardent Red Devil from tender age. In 2015, posted a picture of himself at Old Trafford with a caption indicating a move.
With the emergence of a fast-spreading virus known as Coronavirus in China, many feared the deal was not going to see the light of the day considering international flights has been grounded. However, Ighalo is expected to fly into England on Saturday for his official unveiling. Yet still, a section of football fans found a way to relate the virus on a lighter note to the Shangai Shenhua striker.
Popular Nigerian comedian Bovi did not fail to come to the party.
It is yet to be ascertained if the 30-year-old will undergo medicals as UtdReport reported in the negative.
