Celtic offer Iheanacho new contract as striker weighs future

Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho has been offered a new contract by Celtic as the Scottish champions seek to retain one of the players who helped deliver the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership title.

The striker, whose previous contract has expired, is now a free agent. However, Celtic have moved to secure his future by presenting him with a fresh two-year offer.

Manager Martin O’Neill confirmed that the club has formally approached the former Leicester City forward, although he stressed that no agreement has yet been reached.

“There is an offer on the table at the moment. We will see how things develop.”

The confirmation comes amid growing discussion over Iheanacho’s future after he played an influential role in Celtic’s league-winning campaign.

According to the information available, the proposed deal would keep the Nigeria international at Celtic for a further two years. The contract reportedly includes a weekly wage of £35,000, with performance-related bonuses that could total as much as £780,000.

While the offer underlines the club’s desire to retain the striker, the next move rests with the player, who must decide whether to extend his stay with the Scottish champions.

Iheanacho emerged as an important member of the Celtic squad during the 2025-26 season, scoring seven goals as the club secured the Scottish Premiership title.

His contribution to the championship-winning campaign has been cited as a key reason behind the club’s determination to keep him beyond the expiry of his previous contract.

With his existing deal now over, Celtic acted by putting forward fresh terms in an effort to avoid losing the forward on a free transfer.

O’Neill acknowledged that discussions remain ongoing and indicated that the outcome will depend on Iheanacho’s decision.

The manager’s comments also sought to clarify speculation surrounding the striker’s future, confirming only that an offer has been made and that the situation remains unresolved.

For Celtic, securing Iheanacho’s signature would provide continuity after a successful domestic campaign in which the Nigerian played a significant role.

His goals and experience proved valuable throughout the season, helping the Hoops claim the league title and strengthening his position within the squad.

Although negotiations continue, the club’s latest proposal demonstrates its commitment to keeping the forward at Parkhead.

Whether Iheanacho accepts the terms on offer remains to be seen, but Celtic have made clear their intention to retain the striker as preparations continue for the new season.

For now, the future of the Nigeria international remains undecided, with the contract offer on the table and the final decision resting with the player following a season in which he made an important contribution to Celtic’s Premiership triumph.

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Andrews Sefa Bamfo
Andrews Sefa Bamfo is a promising young football writer and reporter, recognised as one of the rising talents in African football journalism. He specialises in match reporting, features and on-ground coverage, bringing fresh perspective and energy to the industry.He is educated at the University of Ghana and has gained valuable experience working with one of Ghana’s leading media organisations, TV3, where he developed his skills in both television reporting and football journalism.Andrews’ talent and potential were further recognised when he was selected for the prestigious CAF Young Reporters Programme, where he received advanced media training in partnership with CANAL+. This exposure has helped shape his understanding of modern sports journalism and storytelling.Since then, he has continued to grow in the field and is widely regarded as one of the emerging voices in African football media. He is currently a Staff Writer at African.Football, contributing to the platform’s coverage with insightful reports and engaging content for a global audience.

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