Manchester United forward Odion Ighalo has revealed he idolised Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke when he was a youngster.
The Nigerian completed a dream move to Old Trafford in January when he signed a shock loan deal from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.
The 30-year-old’s made a scintillating start and United want to make his loan deal a permanent one after Ighalo bagged four goals in his opening eight appearances.
Ighalo’s move was a dream come true as the Nigerian is a lifelong United fan and the striker’s revealed he looked up to former striker partners Cole and Yorke.
‘I had a lot of football heroes,’ said Ighalo.
‘When I started supporting Man United, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole were my heroes growing up – and some Nigerian players as well like Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu.
‘They are great players, they were my heroes growing up and I watched them on TV.
‘It is a great privilege for me to play at Man United, where great players like Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole have played.’
While Bruno Fernandes’ arrival has had the bigger impact on United’s play, Ighalo’s move has undoubtedly lifted fans’ spirits.
The Nigerian’s love for the club is no secret and Ighalo admits the club is even bigger than he suspected.
‘Seeing the club from the outside you don’t know how big it is,’ said Ighalo.
‘But when you are inside you know how big the club is.
‘I am inspired by the way the club is structured, I am inspired by the direction of the club, I am inspired by the development of the young players and how they are coming through from the grassroots to the first team.
‘I am inspired by a lot of things at United. I am really inspired and I am looking forward to spending more time with the team.’
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