Watford's Odion Ighalo surprised by goalscoring form

Watford striker Odion Ighalo has been taken aback by his goalscoring exploits and quick adaptation to English football.

Having scored just 17 career league goals before his move to Vicarage Road in 2014, the Nigeria international has taken English football by storm.

Top scorer in England

We profile Watford striker Odion Ighalo - still the top scorer in English football in 2015.

Ighalo stands alone as the top scorer in England in 2015, with his 23 goals first guiding the Hornets to promotion to the top flight, before sustaining their bid for Premier League survival.

And, in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Ighalo revealed he was shocked with his form.

"I'm a little bit surprised about it [my form]," he said. "There are great players in this county doing well, but for me coming from nowhere and being the leading scorer is a great thing."

Asked whether he felt suited to English football, he added: "I think so. Many people are telling me that English football suits me well because I have pace, am strong and have technique."

Chief to Igahlo's swift adaptation to life in England has been his flourishing partnership with Troy Deeney.

Flores: Ighalo is wonderful

Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores has described in-form striker Odion Ighalo as "a wonderful man".

The pair worked in tandem to great effect last season, scoring more than 40 goals as the Hornets ended and eight-year absence from the top flight.

And, having highlighted Deeney's attributes, Ighalo revealed it's a partnership that holds the key to Watford's safety hopes this season.

"I have said this untold times, it's a pleasure playing up front with Troy," Ighalo added. "He is not only a captain, he is the motivator, a hard-working guy and he's a nice guy.

"Last season we were playing together he scored 21 goals and I scored 20 - we worked clearly together for the team.

"This season you could say he has assisted three or four of my goals. I've given him one, but I'm working hard to give him more assists because I know he's going to score goals in this league, he's a good player and we really understand each other.

"The gaffer always told us if we put pressure on defenders they don't have time to attack us. In this league so many teams play with one striker, but when we attack we always do so with two up top because we have more chances of scoring."