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Fullname: Kelechi Promise Iheanacho
aka: Kelechi Iheanacho
Born: 3 October 1996
Birthplace: Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Signed: 1 September 2025 (free, 1 year contract)
Left: –
Position: Centre-forward
Debut: –
Squad No.: 17
Internationals: […]
International Caps: [TBC at end of career]
International Goals: [TBC at end of career]
Biog
–
Quotes
“There’s a player in him, and as much as Celtic want to bring in young talent from around the world and nurse them, develop them and then sell them for great profit, there’s also room for people like Kelechi. He’s a little bit younger than I was but didn’t have a good 12 months previous to coming here. But my quality was there, and I know the quality’s there with Kelechi.”
Joe Hart (Sep 2025)
[….]
Playing Career
[Table to indicate clubs played for, including dates, transfers and fees where known [e.g. soccerbase table]]
| APPEARANCES (subs) |
LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 2025-26 | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| 2026-27 | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| 2027-28 | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| 2028-29 | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| Total | |||||
| Goals |
Honours with Celtic
(Honours are marked below in which the player has played in at least one of the matches in the campaign.)
Scottish League
- […]
Scottish Cup
- […]
Scottish League Cup
- […]
Pictures
Forums
Articles
Links
Notes
Articles
Rodgers says Celtic fans ‘will love’ striker Iheanacho
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cd7y7w300weo
Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates with SevillaImage source, Getty Images
Kelechi Iheanacho spent a year with Sevilla
Published
2 September 2025, 23:18 BST
Updated 7 minutes ago
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Kelechi Iheanacho “will make a big contribution” after beating the Europa League signing deadline to secure the Nigeria striker as a free agent.
The 28-year-old Nigeria international’s arrival on a one-year contract comes 24 hours after he came to an agreement with Sevilla to terminate his deal with the Spanish club.
It also comes after Celtic came under fire from their supporters for their failure to sign a striker on transfer deadline day.
Rodgers has turned to someone he managed during the striker’s seven-year spell with Leicester City.
“He is such a talented player, with great ability, athleticism and work-rate,” he told Celtic’s website.
“I am sure he will love being at Celtic and I believe our fans will love what he brings. He has great experience and he is right in his peak years, so he can be a great signing for us. I am sure he will make a big contribution to the team.”
Iheanacho, capped 59 times, started his senior career with Manchester City, picking up a League Cup winner’s medal during his time at the Etihad.
He then joined Leicester City, was an FA Cup winner in 2021 and helped his country to a second-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Iheanacho moved to Sevilla last summer before spending the end of season on loan with English Championship side Middlesbrough.
Welcome to Celtic, Kelechi Iheanacho
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/september/02/welcome-to-celtic–kelechi-iheanacho/
First Team
By Celtic Football Club
Share
02 Sep 2025, 11:03 pm
Celtic Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Kelechi Iheanacho on a one-year deal, subject to international clearance, with the club having the option of a further year.
The 28-year-old Nigerian forward spent two years with Manchester City at the start of his professional career, and he picked up a League Cup winner’s medal during his time at the Etihad.
He then joined Leicester City and would go on to make over 200 appearances there. In his time at Leicester, he worked under Brendan Rodgers and was an FA Cup winner in 2021.
In 2024, Kelechi moved to Spanish side, Sevilla before spending the end of season 2024/25 on loan with English Championship side, Middlesbrough.
He has racked up almost 60 international caps for Nigeria throughout his career so far, and helped his country to a second place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said: “I know Kelechi so well and what he can bring to the team. He is such a talented player, with great ability, athleticism and work-rate.
“I am sure he will love being at Celtic and I believe our fans will love what he brings. He has great experience and he is right in his peak years so he can be a great signing for us. I am sure he will make a big contribution to the team.”
Kelechi Iheanacho: I’m here to fight for silverware with Celtic
First Team
By Matthew Campbell
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04 Sep 2025, 2:00 pm
On Tuesday night it was announced that Celtic had signed Kelechi Iheanacho on a one-year deal, with the club having the option of a further year.
Today, for the first time since joining the Hoops, the Nigerian forward spoke about his joy at joining the Scottish Champions and linking up again with Brendan Rodgers.
He said: “I’m excited to be a Celtic player and I’m feeling really good about it. Celtic is a massive club and I’ve been following them for a long time.
“I’m happy to be a part of that now and hopefully it’ll be a great season.
“I’m looking forward to fighting for silverware with Celtic. In England, I won trophies so hopefully I can be a winner with Celtic as well.
“I can’t wait to be a part of all of it and I’m very confident that I can bring a lot to the team.”
The 28-year-old forward spent time with Manchester City early in his career before moving to Leicester City where he went on to win the FA Cup during Brendan Rodgers’ time as manager there.
Iheanacho’s move to Celtic sees him not only reunite with Brendan Rodgers again, but also with Kasper Schmeichel, who was part of that successful Leicester side.
And the Nigerian internationalist says he’s looking forward to reconnecting with his former colleagues as he looked ahead to experiencing Celtic Park as a Hoops player.
Kelechi added: “I’m really happy to be working with Brendan again. He’s a great man and a great coach with a good personality, and I’m happy to be playing under him again. The gaffer knows me and he knows what I can offer, so I just can’t wait to get going.
“When I was at Leicester, I used to sit next to Kasper in the changing room, so I’ll be happy to see him again. It’s been a long time, so I’m looking forward to speaking to him again.
“I was on the bench for Manchester City at Celtic Park back in 2016. It was a cold night but it was such a massive atmosphere! The Celtic fans are incredible and I can’t wait to play for them now.
“I’ll always give my best for the fans. I can’t wait to share good times with them and play good football.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said: “I know Kelechi so well and what he can bring to the team. He is such a talented player, with great ability, athleticism and work-rate.
“I am sure he will love being at Celtic and I believe our fans will love what he brings. He has great experience and he is right in his peak years so he can be a great signing for us. I am sure he will make a big contribution to the team.”
Joe Hart praises Iheanacho – “I know the quality’s there with Kelechi”
Joe Hart praises Iheanacho – “I know the quality’s there with Kelechi”
By Conor Spence 9 September, 2025 No Comments
Kelechi Iheanacho
Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Leicester City at Vitality Stadium on February 27, 2024. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart feels Kelechi Iheanacho has the potential to make a “special” impact at the Hoops, as long as he shows his true ability…
The forward joined the Scottish champions on a free transfer after the summer window closed and the club were scrambling about for a striker.
Hart, who enjoyed three trophy-laden seasons with Celtic, shared the pitch with Iheanacho during their time at Manchester City. Following Saturday’s legends clash between his Celtic and Manchester United at Celtic Park, the retired goalkeeper revealed his thoughts on the transfer.
Hart even likened Iheanacho’s move to Celtic to the transfer he made himself in 2021 when Ange Postecoglou came calling.
Speaking at Celtic Park at the charity match at the weekend via Daily Record, Hart said: “We’ve all had disappointing 12 months in our careers. Very few haven’t, and certainly striker-wise.”
“But those 12 months don’t define you, it’s the previous work he’s put in. Coming over, getting that contract and a chance at Manchester City, gets a great move to Leicester City.”
Hart added: “There’s a player in him, and as much as Celtic want to bring in young talent from around the world and nurse them, develop them and then sell them for great profit, there’s also room for people like Kelechi.”
“He’s a little bit younger than I was but didn’t have a good 12 months previous to coming here. But my quality was there, and I know the quality’s there with Kelechi.”
“It’s just if he wants to be in the room, whether he wants to put it in,” Hart said. “But Brendan knows him, and it’s such a nice feeling to walk in when you know the coach and you know what he expects of you. You can have some real truthful conversations.”
“So if he can bring that to the table then he can find himself a special home when he’s been a bit lost for a couple of months.”
Conor Spence