Odion Ighalo's Agent Admits Deadline Day Switch to Manchester United Was a Shock

Odion Ighalo's agent has admitted that the striker's deadline day switch to Manchester United came as something of a surprise to him.

The Nigerian had been linked with the Red Devils a few days before the end of the January transfer window, but the move really started to gain momentum on deadline day, when United managed to strike a deal with Shanghai Shenhua to sign Ighalo on loan.

It was a move which caught many by surprise, and Ighalo's agent Atta Aneke told ​Aftenposten that he was just as shocked as he thought the deal was dead.

"It’s been hectic," he said. "I talked to ​Manchester United’s top boss [Ed Woodward] for a few days in advance. It was quiet on Thursday, and then I got the impression that nothing would happen.

"Suddenly, in the middle of the day on Friday, things started to move. It was then at 11pm in Shanghai. It was hectic phone business. Everyone had to stay awake until five or six in the morning in Shanghai."

Ighalo has since arrived in England to join up with his new teammates, and Aneke admitted that he was delighted to see the striker earn his dream move to Old Trafford.

"He has been a United supporter since childhood. It's incredibly big. When he left for China, he did not expect to be brought to United as a 30-year-old," the agent added.

"He's an amazing person. If you see what he's doing off the field - he has opened an orphanage with 20-30 kids, who are now also allowed to go to school. Every month he sends money to widows from the area he is from in Nigeria. He is not one of those who thinks of himself."

Given the timing of the move, Ighalo was not able to feature in Saturday's 0-0 draw with ​Wolverhampton Wanderers, but he could well make his debut for the Red Devils after the winter break when they face ​Chelsea.

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