Odion Ighalo leaves Watford for China’s Changchun Yatai

Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo has joined Chinese Super League side Changchun Yatai from Watford on a permanent deal, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

No financial details were given, but British media put a US$25.18 million figure on the transfer.

The 27-year-old scored 39 goals in 100 appearances in two and a half years at Vicarage Road, including 17 goals in Watford’s first season back in the top flight after securing promotion in 2014/15.

That brought Ighalo, who originally joined Watford on loan in July 2014, a new five-year contract last August.

He has been off the boil this season, however, scoring just once in the Premier League. He has not scored in all competitions for 15 games.