New Watford signing Odion Ighalo says he will defend the Hornets jersey until “until the last minute” after joining the club on a one-year loan. 

The Nigerian striker had been expected to join the Golden Boys and finally signed a deal from sister club Udinese yesterday.

After almost five years at fellow Pozzo-owned side Granada, the 25-year-old is looking forward to the challenge of helping the Hornets reach the top flight.

“I am happy, since I first got the call from the president I’ve been very happy. It’s a good opportunity to help the team gain promotion to the Premier League,” he told hornetsplayer.co.uk.

“Two seasons ago I watched the Play-Offs when they almost gained promotion, and I was following Watford because it’s the same owner as Granada and Udinese.

“Even last season, I’ve been watching their games a lot and they’re a good team. I’m here to help the team, to do my best and make sure we work hard and gain promotion.

“I’m here to put on a Watford shirt now. I have to defend this jersey until the last minute and until we get our promotion.”

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.