Who Is Odion Ighalo? Age, Biography and Wiki
Odion Ighalo was born on June 16, 1989, which makes him 35 years old in 2025. Hailing from Lagos, Nigeria, he carved a niche for himself in the world of football. Known for his striking prowess and versatility on the field, Ighalo began his professional career in 2008 with the Nigerian club, Prime FC, before moving on to play in various leagues, including the English Premier League and the Chinese Super League. His remarkable journey from Nigeria to becoming an international football star is a testament to his talent and hard work.
| Occupation | Footballer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 16, 1989 |
| Age | 36 Years |
| Birth Place | Ekpoma, Nigeria |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | Nigeria |
Popularity
Odion Ighalo's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Odion Ighalo stands at an impressive height of 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) and his weight is approximately 185 lbs (84 kg). His strong physique and athletic build have been pivotal in his success as a forward. Ighalo's body stats, including a chest measurement of 41 inches and waist of 33 inches, reflect his dedication to fitness and training.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Odion Ighalo is known to be in a relationship with a lovely partner, although he has chosen to keep her identity relatively private. He has children, and while specific details about his family life are not heavily publicized, Ighalo often expresses his dedication to his family through social media. His previous relationships have been a topic of interest among fans and the media, but Ighalo maintains a low profile regarding his personal life.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Odion Ighalo's estimated net worth stands around $30 million, attributed to his successful football career and various endorsements. In terms of salary, Ighalo reportedly earns between $5 to $7 million annually, depending on his contracts with clubs and sponsorships. His time in the Chinese Super League significantly boosted his earnings, and he continues to thrive financially through smart investments and business ventures.
On 31 January 2020, Ighalo returned to the Premier League, joining Manchester United on loan until the end of the season. In doing so, he became the first Nigerian player, and the seventh African, to join the club.
After the move was confirmed, Ighalo revealed that he had taken a pay cut to make the move happen, calling it a "dream" to join the club he has long supported. He opted to wear the number 25 shirt, previously worn by United's first and longest-serving African player, Quinton Fortune of South Africa.
Career, Business and Investments
Ighalo’s football career has been marked by stints at several clubs, including Watford, Manchester United, and Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia. In addition to his football successes, he has diversified his income through investments in real estate and a few business ventures in Nigeria. His passion for giving back has led him to establish foundations to support underprivileged youth in Nigeria, focusing on education and sports.
After starting his career at Nigerian clubs Prime and Julius Berger, Ighalo moved to Norwegian club Lyn in 2007. A year later, he was signed by Italian club Udinese, spending most of his tenure on two separate loan spells with Spanish club Granada.
In 2014, he signed for Championship club Watford and was integral in the club's promotion to the Premier League in the 2014–15 season. In January 2017, Ighalo joined Chinese Super League club Changchun Yatai for a reported £20 million, before moving onto Shanghai Shenhua.
In January 2020, Ighalo returned to the Premier League, joining Manchester United on loan, initially until the end of the 2019–20 season; the loan was then extended until January 2021.
Social Network
Odion Ighalo is quite active on social media platforms, boasting millions of followers. His Instagram handle (@ighaloodion) showcases snippets of his football career, family moments, and philanthropic efforts, allowing fans to connect with his journey. Ighalo also occasionally shares training routines and fitness tips, encouraging his audience to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
With football suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Ighalo's loan set to expire at the end of May, United announced that they had agreed to extend Ighalo's loan deal until 30 January 2021. On 26 January 2021, Ighalo posted a farewell message on social media, ahead of his imminent departure from United at the end of the month. United confirmed Ighalo's departure the following day.
Education
Although the details of Ighalo's formal education are not extensively documented, like many young athletes, he pursued football with a singular focus early on. He likely completed primary and secondary education in Lagos, Nigeria, before fully dedicating his efforts to a professional football career. However, Ighalo has emphasized the importance of education in his philanthropic efforts, advocating for the youth in his community to prioritize their studies alongside their athletic aspirations.
