Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers believes new signing Kelechi Iheanacho will thrive at the club and endear himself to supporters after signing the Nigeria striker on a free transfer, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 28-year-old agreed a one-year deal with the Scottish champions after parting ways with Sevilla just a day earlier. His arrival came hours before the Europa League signing deadline and followed criticism from fans over the club’s failure to bring in a striker on transfer deadline day.
Rodgers, who previously worked with Iheanacho during their time together at Leicester City, backed the forward to make an immediate impact.
“He is such a talented player, with great ability, athleticism and work-rate,” Rodgers told Celtic’s website.
“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.”
The move also came against the backdrop of discontent from the Affiliation of Celtic Supporters Clubs, who condemned the decision to sell Adam Idah to Swansea City without lining up a replacement. The group accused the club hierarchy of “failure to strengthen the squad” and “disarray witnessed on the final evening of the transfer window”.
Rodgers, however, was adamant that Iheanacho represents the quality required to strengthen his attack. “He will love being at Celtic and I believe our fans will love what he brings,” he added.
Iheanacho began his professional career at Manchester City, where he won the League Cup, before making more than 200 appearances for Leicester, helping the Foxes lift the FA Cup in 2021.
He was part of the Nigeria squad that finished runners-up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and has been capped 59 times by his country.
After leaving Leicester last summer, the forward joined Sevilla but ended last season on loan at Middlesbrough in the English Championship. (Punch)
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