Odion Ighalo has finally admitted that the fact that Super Eagles legend Nwankwo Kanu wore the number 25 jersey during his time at Arsenal played a part in his decision to wear the same shirt number at Manchester United.
Shortly after his unveiling by the Old Trafford outfit, Ighalo made a public relations statement when he claimed that United's first ever African player Quinton Fortune influenced his decision to choose the number 25 jersey.
Explaining the true story behind choosing the number 25 shirt at The Red Devils, Ighalo told Ghanaian journalist Juliet Bawuah in a Twitter conversation : "When I joined the team that was the jersey that was available - 25 and 19 so I picked 25 because when I was at Watford I wore 24 before. 24 plus 1 is 25 so I just picked 25.
"A legend like Antonio Valencia wore that shirt so it's a privilege, Nigerian Kanu wore 25 when he was at Arsenal so it's a great number, I just picked it, lucky number for me."
Sharing the advice he got from Kanu upon signing for Manchester United, Ighalo added : "He sent me congratulatory messages when I signed for Manchester United, he advised me to keep working hard and I'm going to surprise so many people that didn't give me the benefit of doubt of coming to that team, that he sees me doing well there, that I should work hard and believe in myself and I should not let talk of people distract me".
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"A legend like Antonio Valencia wore that shirt so it's a privilege, Nigerian Kanu wore 25 when he was at Arsenal so it's a great number, I just picked it, lucky number for me."
Sharing the advice he got from Kanu upon signing for Manchester United, Ighalo added : "He sent me congratulatory messages when I signed for Manchester United, he advised me to keep working hard and I'm going to surprise so many people that didn't give me the benefit of doubt of coming to that team, that he sees me doing well there, that I should work hard and believe in myself and I should not let talk of people distract me".
Prior to Ighalo's return to the Premier League in January 2020, he wore the number nine kits for Changchun Yatai, Shanghai Shenhua and Super Eagles.
Igho Kingsley
Photo Credit : manutd.com
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All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
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