Odion Ighalo highlights conditions for NPFL return

Nigeria and Al Wehda veteran forward, Jude Odion Ighalo, has revealed he’s open to winding down his football career in the Nigerian Football Professional League, Soccernet.ng reports.

The former Watford striker started his career with Prime FC (later renamed as Osun United) in the local Nigerian league, before moving on to Julius Beger FC, and then, ahead of the 2007/2008 season, joined Norwegian side, Lyn.

Ighalo has played across several leagues across Europe, China and the Middle East, scoring 194 goals, and providing 37 assists in 404 career games.

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The 35-year-old has openly admitted he doesn’t have a lot of time left on the professional football scene. Quizzed on his thoughts about retiring in the NPFL, the AFCON 2019 golden winner mentioned he’s open to the idea, with conditions attached.

“I would love to play, but I have to guarantee my security, and I would have to honour what I say because it’s not just about playing.

“There are so many things involved in it, you understand. Going from playing almost twenty years outside of Nigeria to coming back to your home town. I know it’s going to be tough, but if certain things are put in place, why not? I’d love to.

“If they can make progress and sort out some things in the league, it’ll be good and I believe you’ll see more ex-Internationals or more Nigerian players that have played abroad will come back to come and finish their careers in Nigeria, but when many things are not guaranteed, making such decision is difficult,” the former Udinese striker said on the Abu Azeez Podcast.

Ighalo’s last appearance in a Super Eagles jersey was in Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against Ghana in March 2022. He came on for the final twelve minutes of the game, which sealed the Super Eagles’ fate as they failed to qualify for the 2022 edition of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.