Swansea? I’ll be at Watford next season – Odion Ighalo

Photo Credit: Complete Sports

Nigeria international Odion Ighalo has poured cold waters on rumours that he was considering a switch to Premier League side, Swansea.

The Watford star scored 20 goals to help the Hornets to promotion to the Premier League last season and have been strongly linked with an £8m move to the Liberty Stadium.

The 6ft 2in striker had previously been linked with the Swans during Michael Laudrup’s reign in 2012, saying he would be interested in making the move. Nothing however came out of that rumour.

Afterwards, he joined Watford initially on loan at the beginning of the 2014/15 season before making the deal permanent in October.

Ighalo then went on to enjoy a breakthrough season, scoring 20 goals, 14 of them in 10 consecutive appearances, as part of the fearsome attack which helped the Hornets into the Premier League.

The Swans have already begun their summer shopping by snapping up Ghanaian winger Andre Ayew from Marseille and agreeing a fee for St Etienne full-back Franck Tabanou.
Reports have suggested that the Swans are searching for striking cover for front man Bafetimbi Gomis since Wilfried Bony’s move to Manchester City and it seems their attentions are focused on the former Granada striker.

But the Super Eagles forward has moved to quell the transfer gossips, expressing his desire to continue his fairy tale adventure with the Hornets.

“I thank God for a successful season with Watford – no injuries. I scored 20 goals and we got promotion to the English Premier League,” a cheerful Ighalo told cafonline.com
“It has always been my dream to play in the Premier League and I’m so happy that I’m going to have that opportunity next season with Watford.”

And looking back fondly at a successful season at his club, Ighalo names his favourite goal out of a hefty bunch.

“Though I scored 20 goals for Watford throughout the season, I’ll pick my goal against Middlesbrough as my best of the season. What makes the goal special? If you see all the goals I scored last season, they were all from inside the box but that one was fantastic because I dribbled past defender (Jonathan Woodgate) on the edge of the box before shooting with the left side of my foot.”

Odion Ighalo came off the substitute bench to score one and assist the other as the Super Eagles saw off the challenge of Chad by two goals to nothing.

The striker who 26 on Tuesday, 16 June 2015, has  already expressed his wishes.

“My desires ahead of my 26th birthday are not many. I hope for a wonderful spell with Watford next season and of course good health.”