Kelechi Iheanacho Is Now The Most Expensive Nigerian Player

In February, Odion Ighalo was hailed as the most expensive Nigerian player after Chinese club, Changchun Yatai, signed him for £23.3 million. Seven months later and Ighalo has been nudged out of that position by Kelechi Iheanacho who just completed a move from Manchester City to Leicester City on a whopping £28 million fee!

At the beginning of last season, Iheanacho had signed a contract with Manchester City that was supposed to end in 2021, but his future with the club became unclear when City manager, Pep Guardiola, started paying more attention to the club’s new signee, Gabriel Jesus. With Jesus’ coming, many felt it was time for Iheanacho to leave The Citizens, and he has done just that.

Speaking about his new move, he said:

“It feels good and I’m happy to be part of this team. I know the ambition of the team, and speaking with the manager, he let me know what I need to do – to help the team achieve what they want. I was convinced and I’m happy to be here.”

Aside from being the highest for a Nigerian player, Iheanacho’s fee is also the second highest in Africa behind Liverpool player, Mohamed Salah’s £34.4 million.

 

Playing as number 8, it’s expected that Iheanacho will help strengthen the attacking wing of the team. He could make his first Leicester City outing against Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday night.