Odion Jude Ighalo says money was the main reason behind his decision to go to China when he left Watford, rather than anywhere else.

The former Super Eagles forward left Watford back in 2017to move to the Chinese Super League with Changchun Yatai despite offers from a host of English clubs.

Ighalo admitted that the money on offer from Changchun Yatai was more beneficial for both himself and the Hornets, prompting him to head to the Super League

“There’s a lot of reasons I went there (China). I wasn’t playing much in Watford and I did not want to keep sitting on the bench,” he told Watford Observer.

“Watford fans don’t know it but I had an offer from Crystal Palace on the table and West Bromwich but the club was looking for big money and that’s why I accepted Changchun Yatai at the time.

“So, instead of me sitting down there and not playing I had to move.

“When the opportunity came for me, I accepted it because China could pay what Watford wanted. But this is past tense now. I am happy and Watford are happy because they made a lot of money with me. And they are still my team in the Premier League.

“I don’t know about other players. Maybe they go there for different ambitions. Me? Yes, I went there for the money I am honest but I don’t know why other players go there for.”

While the financial gain may have been his initial motivation for heading to Asia, Ighalo said he has no regrets about the move and has been pleasantly surprised by how quickly he believes the Chinese game is progressing.