Kelechi Iheanacho Joins Bursaspor After Celtic Deal

Kelechi Iheanacho turned his back on a new Celtic deal and pushed his way to Bursaspor, insisting he told his agent to "do everything possible" to get the move done.

The 29-year-old Nigeria striker, who joined Celtic on a one-year contract in September after leaving Sevilla and spending time on loan at Middlesbrough, had the option of extending his stay in Glasgow. A deadline for the Scottish champions to trigger a one-year extension came and went, yet manager Martin O'Neill made it clear he still wanted Iheanacho to remain and that a fresh contract offer was on the table.

Iheanacho chose a different path.

Last week he signed for Bursaspor, the club that stormed to the TFF Second League title last season and now have their sights set on back-to-back promotions and a return to the Turkish Super Lig. It is an ambitious project, and Iheanacho has nailed his colours firmly to it.

In his first interview as a Bursaspor player, he did not hide his enthusiasm. He spoke of happiness, of excitement, of a move that felt right. And he underlined the stature of his new employers, saying: "To be fair, Bursaspor is a big club in Turkey and I had heard that they had previously won the Turkish Super Lig."

A forward in his prime, leaving the comfort and profile of a champion in Scotland for a side clawing its way back up the Turkish pyramid. It is a gamble. It is also a statement: Bursaspor are not just chasing promotion; they are recruiting with the conviction of a club that expects to belong at the top.