Ighalo finally seals Changchun switch

Nigeria international footballer Odion Ighalo is Changchun's latest signing and will hopefully help to rectify the club's chronic goal shortage. [Photo/Weibo.com/yataifc]

Nigerian international Odion Ighalo has signed for Changchun Yatai F.C. from Watford F.C. in a move estimated to have cost the Jilin province club around 180 million yuan ($27 million).

The center forward's arrival in Northeast China has been speculated for much of the January transfer window, with some sources claiming the delay was due to Ighalo's desire to move within the Premier League. However, the Hertfordshire-based club proved an obstinate bargainer for would-be suitors and Changchun now has a pedigree 27-year-old striker on its books.

Powerfully built and swift footed, the finisher was midway through his second full season at The Hornets and enjoyed a spectacular 2015-16 season in which he notched 15 league goals, formed a devastating partnership with fellow forward Troy Deeney, and helped hoist the club to the dizzy heights of 13th. However, the forward has struggled for form in the 2016-17 campaign and hasn't found the back of the net in the league since September 2016. The Northeast Chinese club will certainly be praying they have signed the 2015-16 iteration of Ighalo.

Despite maintaining their top-flight status in the 2016 Chinese Super League season and finishing 12th, Changchun struggled in the goal department with the league's fourth lowest total scored and will hope Ighalo can rectify the problem.

Changchun have also recalled Hungarian midfielder Szabolcs Huszti following a one year loan stint at Eintracht Frankfurt. Huszti is a versatile midfielder who excelled in his first spell at the club during the 2014-15 season.