When talking about Nigerian strikers who have truly lived a national dream, Odion Ighalo’s name stands out.
Despite Nigeria having many names who have played in Europe top leagues, Ighalo did something special by becoming the first and only Nigerian player to ever live the dream of millions.
He is the only Nigerian footballer to play for Manchester United.
For many football fans growing up in Nigeria, wearing the famous red shirt of United is the biggest dream, a dream Ighalo made come true. His emotional loan move to Old Trafford in 2020 was more than just a transfer, it was a historic moment.
This huge achievement, along with a great career that has seen him score goals in the Premier League, China, and Saudi Arabia, naturally leads to one big question, what is Odion Ighalo net worth?
Don’t worry, SportsBuddy is here to break down everything about Odion Ighalo’s net worth, detailing the contracts and brand deals that have built the wealth of the man who lived every Nigerian kid’s biggest dream.
Early Life, Background and Education
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Odion Jude Ighalo |
| Date of Birth | 16 June 1989 |
| Place of Birth | Lagos / Ekpoma, Nigeria |
| Age | 36 |
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Spouse/Partner | Sonia (Divorced) |
| Children | Three children (two sons and one daughter): Bernice, Samuel, and Daniel Ighalo |
| Siblings | Has a twin sister, Akhere |
Ighalo’s story started from the slum of Ajegunle, a well-known ghetto in Lagos often called the “Ghetto of Talent” for its unlikely production of music and sports stars.
Born into a family dealing with poverty, his father, Paul Ighalo, took on any small job he could find which includes security guard, cleaner, bricklayer. He did all of these to put food on the table.
His mother, Martina, on the other hand, was a strong small-time trader who sold soft drinks, and sachet water on the streets.
Odion was one of five siblings, sharing a close bond with his twin sister, Akhere.
Life on the bad-smelling Salami Street was a daily lesson in survival. As a boy, Ighalo would sell Agege bread on the streets, his small way to help the family’s tiny income.
His father, practical and worried about stability, often warned him against chasing football. But his mother, seeing the passion in his eyes, became his quiet supporter.
She would gather savings from her shop to buy him used boots or bus fare to local matches, sometimes rushing to sell more water when money ran out. Football was his escape, his language, and his clear destiny.
His big break came when he was found by a FIFA agent during a street game, setting him on a path that would forever change his life and begin the building of Odion Ighalo net worth.
Professional Career
| Club (Years) | Apps (Goals) | Notable Achievement(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Prime (2005) | 5 (0) | Started his professional career in Nigeria. |
| Julius Berger (2006) | 10 (5) | Showed early goal-scoring promise in the Nigerian league. |
| Lyn (2007–2008) | 20 (9) | Breakthrough move to European football in Norway. |
| Udinese (2008–2014) | 6 (1) | First experience in Italy’s Serie A. |
| Granada CF (various loans) (2009–2014) | 132 (38) | Key player in the team’s rise to La Liga; became a club icon. |
| Cesena (loan) (2010–2011) | 4 (0) | Brief stint in the Italian Serie A. |
| Watford FC (incl. loan) (2014–2017) | 100 (40) | Promotion to the Premier League (2014–15)
Became a fan favorite for his consistent goals. |
| Changchun Yatai (2017–2018) | 55 (36) | Highly prolific scorer in the Chinese Super League. |
| Shanghai Shenhua (2019–2021) | 19 (10) | Chinese FA Cup Winner (2019) |
| Manchester United (loan) (2020–2021) | 23 (5) | Fulfilled a childhood dream; played for his boyhood club. |
| Al-Shabab (2021–2022) | 32 (22) | Continued his high-scoring form in the Saudi Pro League. |
| Al-Hilal (2022–2023) | 60 (43) | Saudi League Winner (2021/22)
King’s Cup Winner (2022/23) |
| Al-Wehda FC (2023–2025) | 68 (23) | Provided experience and goals in the Saudi Pro League. |
Prime FC
Ighalo’s professional career began at 16 with Prime FC, a Lagos-based youth side, where he sharpened his goal-scoring instincts as a centre-forward. This was an unpaid or low-paid period, a far cry from the wealth to come.
Julius Berger FC
A move to Julius Berger in the Nigerian Premier League followed, where his high scoring, over 10 goals a season, finally caught the serious eye of international scouts.
Lyn Oslo
At 18, his European dream came true with a youth contract at Norwegian club Lyn Oslo in 2007. Though the weather was a shock, his talent wasn’t as he managed to net in an amazing 5 goals in 20 appearances.
His salary, reported to be around €50,000 a year, was small but life-changing, marking the first major deposit into Odion Ighalo net worth.
Udinese
His form in Norway earned him a €500,000 transfer to Serie A’s Udinese in 2008. However, little playing time led to a series of useful loans, most notably to Granada CF in Spain.
He first helped them avoid dropping from La Liga and then became a hero, scoring 20 goals to fire them to promotion from the Segunda Division. This time made his name as a reliable goal scorer.
Watford
The key chapter of his European career came with Watford. Initially on loan, his permanent £12.5 million transfer in 2014 made news.
Playing with Troy Deeney, he became a Championship force, scoring 20 goals in the 2014-15 season to fire the Hornets into the Premier League.
In the top flight, he was a sensation, scoring 16 goals and earning the Premier League Player of the Month award for December 2015. His salary at Watford, which peaked at £40,000 a week, greatly increased Odion Ighalo net worth.
Changchun Yatai
In 2017, a huge £20 million move to China’s Changchun Yatai changed his earnings. His weekly wage jumped to a reported £180,000 (€10 million a year). He was a scoring machine in the Chinese Super League, netting 37 goals in 62 games.
Shanghai Shenhua
A free transfer to Shanghai Shenhua followed, where his wages went even higher to an amazing £300,000 per week. It was during his time in China that Odion Ighalo net worth increasing exponentially.
Manchester United
Then came a dream-like moment. In January 2020, he secured a dream loan move to his boyhood club, Manchester United. In a show of pure passion, he took a 50% pay cut to make the move happen.
He scored 5 goals in 23 appearances, making himself loved by the Old Trafford fans and adding a glamorous line to his resume.
His career slowed down in the Saudi Pro League with time at Al-Shabab, Al-Hilal where he won the league title—and finally Al-Wehda.
While the salaries in Saudi Arabia were lower than his China peak, they were still large, ensuring Odion Ighalo net worth stayed impressive as he entered the final part of his playing days.
International Career
Ighalo’s work for the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, was also significant. He made his senior debut in 2015 and quickly became a key player.
His best achievement came at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where he finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 5 goals, leading Nigeria to a third-place finish and earning a spot in the Team of the Tournament.
In 37 international caps, he scored 16 goals, making his place among Nigeria’s all-time greats.
His international success, while not a direct source of huge wealth, helped his marketability, indirectly influencing the Odion Ighalo net worth through more exposure and endorsement chances.
Odion Ighalo Net Worth
As of 2025, the Odion Ighalo net worth is estimated to be a huge €38 million (about $43 million). This puts him among the top five richest footballers from Nigeria.
Odion Ighalo net worth is not the result of a single contract but a total masterpiece built from several key income streams over a long and successful career.
Salary and Contracts
The main source of Odion Ighalo net worth has been his football salary. His career earnings from base salary alone are reported to be over $18.7 million.
The most important periods were his time in China with Changchun Yatai and Shanghai Shenhua, where he earned a combined yearly salary of around €15 million.
His later contracts in Saudi Arabia with Al-Shabab, Al-Hilal, and Al-Wehda, while lower, still gave multi-million-dollar yearly incomes.
This steady, high-level earning power over nearly twenty years is the basic reason Odion Ighalo net worth stands at an impressive figure.
Endorsement Deals
Beyond his salary, brand deals have played a key role in building Odion Ighalo net worth. His relatable story and high profile have made him an attractive ambassador for brands.
His most notable partnership is a long-term ambassador role with MultiChoice Nigeria, the parent company of DSTV and GOTV, a deal worth millions of Naira each year.
He has also had a long-running apparel deal with sportswear giant Nike. These partnerships provide a major and steady stream of income to Odion Ighalo net worth.
Business Ventures
Ighalo has also been smart with his money, putting funds into ventures that secure his financial future. His most publicized investment is in real estate, including a great mansion in the upscale Lekki area of Lagos, reportedly built for over N500 million.
He also owns a collection of luxury cars, including a Range Rover Velar, Mercedes G-Wagon, and BMW X6. Also, he has put money into various Nigerian startups, though he keeps these ventures quite private.
Perhaps his most important “venture” is his charity work. The Odion Ighalo foundation, while not profit-making, is a major part of his spending and legacy.
Personal Life
Odion Ighalo is a family man and a man of deep faith. He is also a strong Christian who always thanks God for his amazing journey from Ajegunle to global fame.
During one of his interviews with fellow footballer and Super Falcons captain, Rasheedat Ajibade Ighalo credited God for his journey and also revealed more details on how the Holy Spirit helped his choices guiding him to becoming the first and only Nigerian player to ever played for Manchester United.
Speaking about his family, Odion Ighalo married Sonia Adesuwa in 2009, and together they have three children: two sons Samuel and Daniel, and a daughter, Bernice.
Although the couple faced marriage problems in recent years leading to divorce, they remain dedicated to raising their children together.
His charity work is where his heart truly is. In 2017, he put in N500 million to start the Ighalo Orphanage and Empowerment Center in his hometown of Ajegunle.
The home gives shelter, education, and skills training for over 100 orphans and widows. He has said many times that his mission is to give others the chances he struggled to get.
He is also actively involved in food programs in Lagos slums and uses his platform for anti-racism support. This commitment to giving back adds a deep layer of meaning to the Odion Ighalo net worth, showing that for him, wealth is a tool for good change.
