Nigeria forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, has explained why he rejected a new contract from Scottish champions Celtic in favour of Turkish club Bursaspor, saying the club’s ambitious project convinced him to make the move.
The 29-year-old completed his switch to Bursaspor last week after spending a season with Celtic, where he joined on a one-year deal in September following his departure from Sevilla and a loan spell at Middlesbrough.
Although the deadline for Celtic to activate a one-year extension clause in his contract expired, manager Martin O’Neill later revealed that the club still wanted the striker to remain and had offered him a fresh deal.
However, Iheanacho opted to join Bursaspor, who won the TFF Second League title last season and are targeting consecutive promotions back to the Turkish Super Lig.
ALSO READ: Iheanacho scores as Celtic clinch Scottish Cup title
Speaking in his first interview with the club, the former Leicester City forward said Bursaspor’s long-term vision played a decisive role in his decision.
“To be fair, Bursaspor is a big club in Turkey and I had heard that they had previously won the Turkish Super Lig.
“When I heard about their project, that they wanted to climb up to the Super Lig and also play in Europe, I said that this is a big project and it’s very good for me to come and be involved and help the team.
“So I asked my agent to make sure he does everything possible to make sure I come to Bursaspor. My target is for us to go to the Super Lig.”
Iheanacho also noted the similarity between Bursaspor’s green-and-white colours and those of Celtic.
“It’s the same green and white, to be fair. I don’t know if it’s deja vu, like they say in French.
“It’s the same shirt, but Celtic is a bit lighter green, Bursaspor is dark green. It’s a little bit different, but it’s all similar. It’s all good.”
Bursaspor president Enes Celik also dismissed reports that Iheanacho had been offered £47,000 per week to join the Turkish side. According to Celik, the Nigerian international will earn an annual salary of £1.2 million, equivalent to about £23,000 per week, insisting the striker chose the club’s sporting project over more lucrative offers elsewhere.
Reacting to Iheanacho’s departure, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill admitted the club believed an agreement had been reached to keep the forward.
“There are two sides to every particular transfer as there is to every story.
“I thought we had a deal with him at the time, but seemingly that wasn’t the case and so he’s gone to pastures new.”
Iheanacho will now aim to help Bursaspor secure promotion to the Turkish Super Lig as the club seeks a return to the top tier of Turkish football.
