Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho has completed a loan move to Championship side Middlesbrough from Spanish club Sevilla.
The striker was introduced to the Middlesbrough fans before their clash against Sunderland at the Riverside and he’s now set to begin his new journey after a topsy-turvy period at Sevilla.
Iheanacho joined Sevilla on a free transfer after his contract with Leicester City expired. However, he has struggled to establish himself in the team, making only 11 appearances throughout the season, prompting his decision to seek a new challenge.
Prior to his stint at Sevilla, Iheanacho enjoyed a successful seven-year spell at Leicester City. He joined the club In 2017 on a reported fee of £25 million. At the time, this was the highest transfer fee ever paid for a Nigerian player, and the second-highest for an African player, surpassed only by the transfer fee for Egyptian star Mohamed Salah.
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He went on to play a pivotal role in Leicester City’s historic 2020-21 FA Cup triumph, emerging as one of the top scorers in the competition, netting four crucial goals throughout the tournament, as the Foxes claimed their first-ever FA Cup title.
Iheanacho’s impact extended beyond the FA Cup, as he also scored the decisive penalty in the 2021 FA Community Shield, securing Leicester City’s victory in the season-opening fixture.
During his time at the club, he made 232 appearances, scoring 61 goals, and became a fan favorite. His impressive performances earned him a reputation as a key player for the Foxes.
Iheanacho’s footballing journey began at Taye Academy in Owerri, Nigeria. His breakthrough came when he represented Nigeria in the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, catching the attention of European clubs. Manchester City ultimately won the race to sign him, and Iheanacho went on to achieve numerous milestones during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
During his time at Manchester City, Iheanacho achieved several notable feats. He scored 21 goals in 64 matches, earned a nomination for the FIFA Golden Boy award in 2016, and won the Capital One Cup. Additionally, he became the first player in English football to have a goal awarded to him via VAR and scored his first Premier League hat-trick in a 5-0 victory over Sheffield United.
With his move to Middlesbrough now complete, Iheanacho is poised to revitalize his career, which once held immense promise. The Nigerian striker will aim to reestablish himself as a prolific goal-scorer and reclaim his status as one of the feared strikers in English football.
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