Celtic FC Confirms Signing of Kelechi Iheanacho
Celtic FC has officially announced the acquisition of Nigerian international Kelechi Iheanacho on a one-year contract, with an option for an additional year, pending international clearance.
The 28-year-old striker began his career at Manchester City, where he won a League Cup in 2016. He later joined Leicester City, making over 200 appearances and securing an FA Cup title under manager Brendan Rodgers in 2021. Following a brief period at Sevilla and a loan at Middlesbrough last season, Iheanacho is now set to join the squad in Glasgow.
Internationally, Iheanacho has earned nearly 60 caps for Nigeria and was part of the team that finished as runners-up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement to Celticfc.com, manager Rodgers expressed enthusiasm about the new signing:
“I know Kelechi so well and what he can bring to the team. He is a talented player with excellent ability, athleticism, and work ethic. I am confident he will thrive at Celtic and that our fans will appreciate what he adds. With his vast experience, he is in his prime, and can be a significant asset for us.”
However, the timing and context of the transaction are noteworthy. Celtic spent the last moments of the transfer window searching for a striker after failing to secure preferred targets. Aspirations for players like Kasper Dolberg, who moved to Ajax, and David Datro Fofana, who opted to remain in London, crumbled as the deadline approached.
Consequently, Celtic looked to the free-agent market, where Iheanacho’s availability was a chance Rodgers seized. Nevertheless, this deal feels like a last resort for supporters, who watched the summer promises falter and now enter the Europa League without a marquee signing, raising concerns about the club’s ambitions.
While we hope the striker can prove to be a valuable asset, the narrative surrounding his arrival indicates broader frustrations: the champions have found themselves reacting rather than preparing strategically, and fans are left questioning the recruitment strategy that led to this scenario. For now, Rodgers secures a striker, and Iheanacho has an opportunity to quickly gain the trust of a fanbase eager for both answers and goals.
