Rodgers Backs Iheanacho to Shine After Celtic Signing

 

Celtic have confirmed the signing of Nigeria striker Kelechi Iheanacho on a one-year deal, with manager Brendan Rodgers insisting the 28-year-old will be a major boost to the squad. The move was finalised just before the Europa League registration deadline, easing fan frustration over the club’s failure to recruit a striker on deadline day.

Iheanacho arrives in Glasgow as a free agent after terminating his contract with Sevilla earlier this week. The forward, capped 59 times for Nigeria, reunites with Rodgers, who coached him during his seven-year spell at Leicester City.

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“He is such a talented player, with great ability, athleticism and work-rate,” Rodgers told Celtic’s website. “He has great experience and 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 deal follows Celtic’s controversial sale of Adam Idah to Swansea City on deadline day, which sparked anger among supporters. The Affiliation of Celtic Supporters Clubs had demanded answers from the board over what they called “disarray” in recruitment. Rodgers said Iheanacho would thrive in Glasgow and that the fans “will love what he brings.”

Iheanacho’s signing marks another chapter in a career that has already taken him across Europe’s top leagues. The Nigerian striker began his professional journey at Manchester City, winning a League Cup medal before sealing a move to Leicester in 2017. At the King Power, he lifted the FA Cup in 2021 and became known for his sharp finishing, particularly in knockout competitions.

Internationally, Iheanacho has been a regular for Nigeria, helping the Super Eagles reach the Africa Cup of Nations final in 2023. His experience at major tournaments and in European football is seen as a valuable asset to Celtic, who are balancing domestic ambitions with the challenge of competing in Europe.

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Last season, he joined Sevilla but struggled to secure regular minutes, later spending the second half of the campaign on loan at Middlesbrough in the Championship. Rodgers is confident that Celtic can reignite the striker’s form by giving him a central role.

The manager stressed the importance of bolstering his forward options following Idah’s departure, and Iheanacho’s arrival appears to have calmed tensions among fans. With Celtic pushing to defend their Scottish Premiership crown and make progress in Europe, the Nigerian’s impact could prove decisive.