Al Hilal have signed former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo from Saudi Arabian rivals Al Shabab.
The Nigerian international, currently the top scorer in this season’s Saudi Pro League with 12 goals, was confirmed as the champions’ new recruit early on Sunday. He signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with the Riyadh side.
Hilal, the current Asian champions, had last week announced the departure of hugely popular striker Bafetimbi Gomis. The Frenchman left the club having helped fired Hilal to twin domestic league titles and two Asian Champions League crowns.
Ighalo, 32, is expected the go into the club’s squad for the upcoming Fifa Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi. HIlal enter that competition at the quarter-final stage, where they will face either UAE champions Al Jazira or Oceania representatives AS Pirae, of Tahiti, on February 6.
Ighalo has played in Saudi since leaving United in January 2021 following a year-long loan period. The frontman, who had excelled previously in the Premier League for Watford, was employed at the time by Shanghai Shenhua. In 2019, Ighalo finished top scorer at the African Cup of Nations, with five goals.
The move to Saudi reaped almost instant reward, with Ighalo voted the league’s player of the month in April and May as Shabab finished second to Hilal in the standings.
At present, Shabab sit third in the league, seven points behind leaders Al Ittihad and three ahead of fourth-placed Hilal. However, Hilal do have a game in hand over their city rivals.
Speaking on his social media account once the move was confirmed, Ighalo tweeted: “Thank you Al Shabab. It was a pleasure.”
Meanwhile, Hilal have also confirmed that midfielder Luciano Vietto has moved to Shabab on a six-month loan.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Yuval Noah Harari, Jonathan Cape
PROFILE OF STARZPLAY
Date started: 2014
Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand
Number of employees: 125
Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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List of alleged parties
May 12, 2020: PM and his wife Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at least 17 staff
May 20, 2020: They attend 'bring your own booze party'
Nov 27, 2020: PM gives speech at leaving party for his staff
Dec 10, 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
Dec 13, 2020: PM and his wife throw a party
Dec 14, 2020: London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff event at Conservative Party headquarters
Dec 15, 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18, 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
