TheCable

Odion Ighalo,Super Eagles striker, has revealed that European club sides could not afford his buy out clause as the reason for opting for another Chinese club, Shanghai Shenhua.

Ighalo told TheCable his buy out clause was €40 million ($45.2 million) at the Chinese side Changchun Yatai.

He also admitted that reuniting with his former Watford FC of England coach, Quique Sanchez Flores, help made the decision easier.

The Super Eagles forward joined the three-time CSL champions on a three-year deal.

“I had a buy out clause and it was difficult for the Europe teams to pay that so I had to stay in China and choose Shenhua,” Ighalo told TheCable.

“What also formed my decision to stay back in China is because of my former coach Flores.

“He wanted me to join the club all along and I am happy that he made it possible to work with him again.

He also revealed that former Shanghai Shenhua and Super Eagles ace, Obafemi Martins played a key role in his switch to the club.

“Obafemi Martins also advised me on joining Shenhua,” he said.

The 29-year old striker suffered relegation with Changchun Yatai last season after scoring 21 goals for the club.

“I thank Yatai for their love and support in the last two years I was with them. It was home away from home for me,” Ighalo added.

“I want to work hard to achieve great things with Shenhua and my former coach because he is like a father to me and he knows me well.

“It will be like old time for the two of us.”

Ighalo moved to China for a fee of around £20 million in January 2017, and was reported to be on a salary of £200,000 a week — which is considered quite expensive for most European clubs.

Ighalo netted 15 goals in 37 outings for the Hornets under Flores in the 2015/16 EPL season.

He moved to Changchun Yatai in January 2017 where he scored 36 goals in 55-league games in his two years sting with the club.