Udinese striker Odion Ighalo has completed his loan move to Watford, signing a one-year deal.

The website AfricanFootball.com had carried quotes from the 25-year-old claiming the deal has been finalised following his medical today.

Ighalo said: "I have completed my loan switch to Watford. I passed a medical on Tuesday and [the] deal is complete, everything is ok. I am happy.

"It's going to be a new challenge for me. I have played in Norway, Spain and Italy. I want a new challenge and Watford gave me that."

And prior to the deal being confirmed by the Hornets, the player tweeted: "I'm happy to join the Watford family."

Ighalo began his professional career in Nigeria with Prime before joining Julius Berger.

A switch to Norwegian side Lyn followed in 2007 and after nine goals in 20 outings across two seasons, Ighalo moved to Italy to join Udinese.

Used sparingly at Udinese in his first season, Ighalo joined Granada on loan for the 2009/10 campaign and netted 17 times to help the Andaluscian side to promotion.

Returning the following year, the former Nigerian Under-20 cap scored five times as Granada completed back-to-back promotions to reach La Liga.

A brief stint with Serie A outfit Cesena in 2010 proved unsuccessful and Ighalo returned to Los Carmenes to score 12 league goals in his next three seasons as Granada retained their top-flight status.

Read Ighalo's heartfelt farewell to Granada supporters here