Nigeria’s highest paid player and most expensive signing ever, Odion Ighalo, has been handed the number nine jersey at Chinese Super League club Changchun Yatai, allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report.

The number nine jersey is usually reserved for the top striker on a team, a clear indication that Changchun Yatai expect their new Nigerian star to lead the frontline in the new season.

At past club Watford, Ighalo played with the number 24 kit, while he suited up with the number seven kit in his final season at Granada.

He was handed the number nine and sixteen jersey at Udinese and Cesena respectively.

The Super Eagles star participated in his first training session with Changchun Yatai on Monday morning.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel