Ex-Nigeria international, Odion Ighalo, has dedicated his new Nike boots to his late sister, Mary Atole.
The 30-year-old shared a picture of his boots on Instagram on Tuesday which he intends wearing as a new centre-forward at Manchester United.
MARY ATOLE (nee Ighalo) lives forever 👼❤️🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/605Kei5xGA
— Odion Jude Ighalo (@ighalojude) February 4, 2020
Ighalo lost his sister on December 12, 2019, at age 42. The cause of death is not publicly known.
The footballer’s sister left behind two children. A service of songs was held in her honour on December 20, 2019, while the funeral took place on December 21, 2019, in Canada.
She was a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
My beloved sister has finally gone to rest😭🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/K5r5tm2vtk
— Odion Jude Ighalo (@ighalojude) December 21, 2019
Ighalo, however, does several things for charity including an orphanage home in Lagos.
He arrived in Manchester from China on Sunday, February 2, 2020, and told journalists that the move was a ‘dream come true’ for him.
“It is a dream come true because since I was a kid I always dreamt about Man United,” he said.
“This is reality now. It has been crazy, but I am happy to be in Manchester and this is a great opportunity for me.
“I am happy to work hard with the team, and to finish very well this season.”
He is expected to play his first game for the club on February 17, 2020, away at Chelsea in the Premier League.
Ighalo played for Watford and scored 39 goals in 99 matches for the club between 2014 and 2017 before his move to China. He will play as cover for injured Marcus Rashford until the end of the season.
The deal to bring the Edo State indigene to Old Trafford contains no option to buy.
