Changchun Yatai striker Odion Ighalo recently told reporters that his China move is "not all about money" and that he would "love to come back" to the Premier League someday after his Chinese Super League stint is over.

Ighalo, 27, was acquired by Chinese Super League squad Changchun Yatai at the end of January from English top-flight team Watford FC for a reported transfer fee of around $25 million. He had spent two-and-a-half seasons with the Hornets and was the team's leading goalscorer then they were promoted to the Premier League from the Championship at the end of the 2014-2015 season.

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The Nigeria international had scored 37 goals in a total of 80 appearances in all competitions during his first two seasons with Watford. However, his goalscoring tally went down this term with only two goals in 18 games so far. Much of his scoring struggles is said to be the result of his lack of playing time under new manager Walter Mazzarri, who had taken over last summer from Quique Sánchez Flores.

Because of that, Ighalo had requested to be transferred soonest and despite the interest of several rival Premier League teams, he chose the lucrative China offer. Ighalo recently said that he would "love" to return to England "in the future" after he completes his deal with Changchun, the Eagle Online reported.

"I am looking forward to the challenge of playing in China," said Ighalo, via ESPN. "I know life goes on and I must do what is best for me." "Of course, if it is possible to come back to the Premier League one day, I would love to do that," he said.

He then said that he had "a lot of happy memories" at Watford and that he was grateful of the fans' support during his time with the club. "I will miss Watford," Ighalo said. Ighalo also clarified that he was going to China not only because of the big offer but to play more, something that has not happened in Watford lately.

"I need to play more and I want to play every game and that was not happening at Watford this season," he said. "I turned down bigger money last year to go to China, so it is not just about the money. I want to go there and play and make a big effort to be successful."

TagsChinese Super League, Chinese Super League news, Chinese Super League News 2017, Odion Ighalo, Changchun Yatai FC