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Ever since football became professional, strikers have always been the most sought-after players. And whenever curtains are drawn on the summer or winter transfer window, it’s almost inevitable that the most expensive signing will be a forward.
In 2013, during the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria gifted the world one of such goal-machines in Kelechi Iheanacho.
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At just 17-years-old at the time of the tournament he was like a god walking amongst men – or rather, boys, as he finished second joint top scorer with six goals and was named overall best player.
True to his name, ‘Iheanacho,’ he was precious and valuable.
As expected, after the tournament—which the Golden Eaglets dominated thanks to his brilliance—top European clubs flocked in pursuit of his signature. In the end, the Owerri-born talent chose Manchester as his destination.
During one of my visits to the Super Eagles camp to cover a FIFA World Cup qualifying match, I sought to understand what influenced his decision to move to North West England.
“I believe it was God who chose it for me,” he said.
Iheanacho would go on to make 46 appearances, scoring 12 well-taken goals for the Citizens – with his first coming as a substitute against Crystal Palace. While those numbers might seem average to some, considering the players he had to compete with for positions during his time at the club, they were impressive.
The need for more game time, coupled with City’s pursuit of experienced players to bolster their attack in their quest for domestic and European dominance, led the Nigerian to embark on a 2-hour 37-minute drive to Leicester, where he signed a five-year contract reportedly £25 million.
A new fox in the field, the Nigerian started just two of Leicester’s first 21 Premier League games — a case of déjà vu. The consequence was dire as he was omitted from the AFCON 2019 party, where the Super Eagles finished 3rd.
But with some footballing misfortunes affecting key players and his innate can-do spirit, the tide eventually turned for the striker. He went on to make 173 appearances scoring 35 goals for the Foxes across the Premier League and EFL Championship between August 2017 and July 2024.
Weeks later, he was on a flight to Spain ready to call Seville home as he joined the Los Nervionenses on a free transfer after his contract with Leicester City expired.
Playing for a team that has won the UEFA Cup/Europa League a record seven times, most recently in 2023, comes laced with immense pressure and for this wonder kid, now 28 years old, Spanish might just be a little too hard to learn.
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As he strives for fluency off the pitch, his performances on it have been a mixed bag. He was prolific in the Copa del Rey, scoring three goals in two matches, but has struggled to replicate that form in La Liga, depriving fans at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán of the chance to witness his trademark celebration—kneeling and pointing both hands to the sky.
Iheanacho might not have fans chanting his name yet in Spain, but in England, he’s well-known. This time, it will echo loudly at the Riverside Stadium after he joined Middlesbrough on loan for the remainder of the season.
With over 300 career appearances and what appears to be the start of his loan spells, should Nigerians view this as the pinnacle of what was once envisioned when he announced himself to the world by scoring four goals in the opening game against Mexico in 2013? Or is there still promise left for Kelechi to end his career as a Nigerian great?
