Ighalo credits Marcelo Houseman for launching his 19-year football career

Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has credited renowned football scout Marcelo Houseman with launching his professional football career.

Ighalo told newsmen that Houseman discovered him and fellow Nigerian player Kim Ojo before creating opportunities that exposed them to European football.

“Houseman discovered Kim Ojo and me in Nigeria and took us to Hertha Berlin in Germany for trials when we were still unknown players,” he said.

Ighalo said Houseman’s commitment extended beyond scouting, as he invested time, resources, and personal support in nurturing young talents.

“Hertha Berlin wanted only me, but Houseman stood by both of us. He believed we deserved equal opportunities and rejected offers he considered inadequate,” he said.

Ighalo said Houseman later took them on a two-month tour of European clubs, including Sporting Lisbon in Portugal and RCD Espanyol in Spain.

“Although those moves did not materialise, Houseman never gave up. He introduced us to another trusted agent who arranged trials in Oslo, Norway,” he said.

The former Nigeria international said Houseman also provided financial support that assisted both players and their families during difficult periods.

“He gave us money that helped our families greatly. I passed the trials in Norway, signed a pre-contract, and the rest became a 19-year professional career,” Ighalo said.

Ighalo described Houseman as a mentor whose vision and sacrifices helped shape the careers of many African footballers.

“Without Houseman, my football story could have been different. He saw potential in me before many others did and opened doors that changed my life,” he said.

Ighalo began his professional career with Nigerian clubs Prime FC and Julius Berger before moving to Norwegian side Lyn in 2007.

He joined Italian club Udinese in 2008 and enjoyed successful loan spells with Spanish club Granada before establishing himself in Europe.

In 2014, he signed for Watford and played a key role in the club’s promotion to the English Premier League.

Ighalo later featured for Changchun Yatai and Shanghai Shenhua in China before joining Manchester United on loan in 2020.

He made his Nigeria debut in 2015 and represented the country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The striker finished as top scorer at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, helping Nigeria secure a third-place finish.

Ighalo currently plays for Al Wehda in Saudi Arabia, bringing experience gained from successful spells across Europe, Asia and international football.