By Amaechi Agbo

Super Eagles striker, Odion Jude Ighlo has left Saudi Arabia Pro League Champions, Al Hilal after the club refused to renew his contract which ends in June.

Ighlo was instrumental in Hilal winning the league this season as he scored 43 goals and 7 assists in 59 games for them.

But Al Hilal confirmed Thursday that their tally’s man will leave the club as they thanked him in a tweet and wished him well

“Thanks @ighalojude 🦅
Wishing you good luck and success 💙 Al Hilal” the club said in a short tweet on Thursday

Ighalo’s departure which did not go down well with the fans is said to have been fuelled by the league champions’ desire to sign World Best, Lionel Messi.

PSG coach Christophe Galtie confirmed on Thursday that Messi will leave the club at the end of the current French League 1 season.

Ighalo recently re-shared a heartfelt thank-you message on his Instagram story posted by his teammate and Saudi Arabia midfielder Salman Al-Faraj, which suggests that his time at Al Hilal may be coming to an end as his contract expires on June 30, 2023.

During his stint with Al Hilal, the former Manchester United star was instrumental in the team’s success, helping them achieve the Premier League Championship and playing a key role in their King’s Cup and Super Lucille victories.

Ighalo also demonstrated his astonishing football prowess on the European scene where he emerged as the Asian Champions League’s leading goal scorer, firmly establishing himself among the competition’s leading attackers.

Saudi Arabian champions Al Hilal are working on a deal that will see Odion Ighalo leave to allow them sign Lionel Messi from PSG.

Al Hilal are willing to fork out as much as 400 Million Pounds to sign Messi from PSG.

Ighalo completed a move to Saudi Arabia side Al Hilal SC in 2021 after leaving Al Shabab following the latter’s refusal to release him to join his national team, the Super Eagles of Nigeria in that year’s Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON tournament in Cameroon

Ighalo is expected to remain in the Saudi Arabia Professional League as suitors are not lacking