Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo has signed a new five year deal with Watford following interest from Hebei China Fortune during the summer.

The former Udinese and Granada striker scored 20 Championship goals in just 22 starts after joining the Hornets from the Italian branch of the Pozzo family's operation.

Subject of interest from Chinese side Hebei China Fortune in July, the Nigerian international scored in Watford's opening day draw at Everton but the Hornets were denied a win by Arouna Kone's late equaliser for the Toffees.

Initially signed on loan from Udinese in July, Ighalo was used sparingly at first by the then head coach Beppe Sannino.

Handed his first Championship start at Blackburn Rovers in what was Billy McKinlay's first game in charge, Ighalo marked the Scot's final game at the helm - three days later at home to Brentford - by scoring the opener in a 2-1 win.

He netted twice in his next two games before his loan deal was cut short and turned into a permanent arrangement.

Despite a slow start to life under new head coach Slavisa Jokanovic, the 26-year-old hit form in stunning fashion by scoring 17 in his final 20 appearances of the season.

The former Julius Berger and Lynn forward took that form into the new season and got the Golden Boys' second goal on his Premier League debut.

Speaking to BBC Sport afterwards, he said: "Scoring my first Premier League goal was one of the moments I had waited for all my life.

"I can do even better as long as I keep keep working hard, and I think my goal is the first of many to come.

"When I was in Nigeria I used to watch the Premier League and hope one day I would play there..

"Even though I started the match on the substitutes' bench I was so happy, but when I came on and scored a goal in a game like that against a good side it was such a joy."