Iheanacho Rejects Celtic, Joins Turkey's Second Tier

Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho has opted against signing a new contract with Scottish Premiership club Celtic. Instead, Iheanacho has agreed to terms with Bursaspor, a club recently promoted to the TFF First League, which is the second tier of professional football in Turkey. The move marks a significant shift in his career trajectory, moving away from top-flight European competition to play in Turkey's second division.

Celtic had reportedly been keen to retain the services of the 27-year-old forward, who joined the Glasgow club in January 2023. During his tenure at Celtic Park, Iheanacho made 17 appearances across all competitions, scoring 3 goals. His contributions were part of Celtic's successful campaign to secure the Scottish Premiership title in the 2023-2024 season. The club had hoped to build on this success with Iheanacho remaining part of their squad for the upcoming season.

Bursaspor, the club Iheanacho is joining, secured their promotion to the TFF First League after a strong performance in the TFF Second League. The club's ambition to compete at a higher level appears to have been a key factor in attracting the Nigerian international. Financial terms of the deal between Iheanacho and Bursaspor have not been publicly disclosed, but the move signifies a new chapter for the player in Turkish football.