Spanish club Sevilla have confirmed the termination of Kelechi Iheanacho’s contract, drawing a premature end to the Nigerian forward’s time at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.
The Super Eagles striker had joined the Rojiblancos on a free transfer in the summer of 2024 after leaving Leicester City. His contract was originally set to run until June 2026, but after just one season marked by limited opportunities, both parties have now agreed to part ways.
A Short Stay in Spain
Iheanacho’s move to Sevilla was seen as a fresh start following Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League. The Spanish side hoped his experience and finishing ability would bolster their attack, but the partnership never truly clicked.
In the first half of the 2024/25 season, Iheanacho made only 15 appearances across all competitions, scoring three times. While his goals showed glimpses of quality, he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter under then-manager Quique Sánchez Flores.
By January, Sevilla opted to send him on loan to Middlesbrough in the English Championship. There, Iheanacho featured in 15 matches, scoring once and providing two assists. Though he showed flashes of his technical skill and link-up play, he again failed to consistently influence matches.
Official Statement
The end came on Tuesday when Sevilla released a formal statement announcing the mutual termination of the player’s deal.
“Sevilla FC and Kelechi Iheanacho have reached an agreement to terminate the contract of the Nigerian striker, who was linked to the Nervion club until June 30, 2026. Iheanacho joined the club last summer after ending his contract with Leicester City,” the statement read.
The announcement also noted that Iheanacho had failed to feature in any of Sevilla’s opening three La Liga fixtures of the 2025/26 campaign, having not been included in the matchday squad.
A Career of Highs and Lows
Iheanacho, now 28, was once considered one of Nigeria’s brightest attacking prospects. He first rose to prominence at Manchester City, where he broke into the first team under Manuel Pellegrini, scoring 21 goals in 64 appearances.
In 2017, he joined Leicester City for £25 million, becoming a key squad player during his six-year spell. At the King Power, he enjoyed standout moments, including finishing as top scorer in the 2020/21 FA Cup campaign, where Leicester lifted the trophy under Brendan Rodgers.
However, inconsistency and injuries often plagued his progress, and when Leicester were relegated in 2023, Iheanacho decided to seek a new challenge abroad.
His move to Sevilla initially looked promising, offering him Champions League football and a chance to reinvent himself in Spain’s top flight. Yet the venture has ended far sooner than expected.
What Next for Iheanacho?
Despite the setback, Iheanacho’s future could soon be resolved. Reports in Scotland suggest he has been linked with a move to Celtic, where he would reunite with Brendan Rodgers.
Rodgers, who managed Iheanacho at Leicester, is believed to remain an admirer of the forward’s intelligence and ability to thrive in a two-striker system. Celtic, the reigning Scottish Premiership champions, are keen to add depth to their attacking options as they prepare for another Champions League campaign.
The Nigerian forward is said to be open to the move, given his familiarity with Rodgers and the chance to play in a system where his attributes could be better utilized.
Super Eagles Implications
For Nigeria, Iheanacho’s uncertain club career raises questions about his role in the national team setup ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Once a mainstay for the Super Eagles, he now faces increased competition from younger forwards like Victor Boniface, Gift Orban, and Terem Moffi.
Still, his experience and versatility could keep him in contention if he secures regular playing time at his next club.
A Career at the Crossroads
At 28, Iheanacho is entering what should be the prime years of his career. Yet, the termination of his Sevilla contract leaves him at a crossroads. Whether he can revive his fortunes in Scotland, or elsewhere in Europe, may well define the next chapter of his journey.
For now, Sevilla and Iheanacho have closed a chapter that promised much but delivered little, leaving the Nigerian striker once again in search of a place to call home.
