Odion Ighalo admits fans at home in Nigeria are celebrating his move to Manchester United.
Ighalo's loan from Shanghai Shenhua has been met with joy in his home country of Nigeria, however, with supporters switching their allegiances so they can support him when he plays for his boyhood club.
"It was crazy because, all over the news for the last few days, is about my deal to Man United," Ighalo said, when asked about the reaction from his family and friends in Nigeria.
"Even the street I grew up on, they are doing parties, celebrating Ighalo signing for United. They sent me the video, I was just laughing and happy, because many of them are supporting Man United and some of them are supporting some other teams in the Premier League.
"But they said, because of me, they are moving to United, because they have a very big fan-base in Nigeria. So I am happy about all this and they are rooting for United from now on."
Party in Nigeria because ighalo signed for united pic.twitter.com/JDRc2DgsNS
— #ChampionsLeagueIsOurs (@cfc_uclszn) February 4, 2020
Ighalo becomes the first Nigerian player to ply their trade for United and it's safe to say he's delighted as he prepares to make his debut against Chelsea next week.
"I'm really proud," Ighalo said. "I'm happy because people keep sending me messages, I know that this is very big, you're going to be the first Nigerian to play for United, it's a good record for you in your career, I know that.
"I know that, after you finish football, you are going to know what we are talking about, because I'm just so emotional right now, so I don't think about those things too much. I just want to get started and get playing and start helping the team to do well."
Dem dey throw party for Odion Ighalo’s church in Nigeria. The pastor know say e don hammer as e dey plan on how e go collect:
Tithes
Breakthrough offering
Thanksgiving offering
Man Utd offering
10 goals seed #MUFC#GGMUpic.twitter.com/OvmAT2KjBC — Man United in Pidgin (@ManUtdInPidgin) February 1, 2020
