Nigeria striker Kelechi Iheanacho has scored 16 goals in 12 league appearances for Turkish second-division side Bursaspor after making the switch from Celtic, saying he was more concerned with concentrating on football than pursuing transfer negotiations.
The 30-year-old joined the Turkish club during the summer transfer window after leaving Scottish Premiership champions Celtic, where he had spent the second half of the previous season on loan.
Iheanacho made a significant contribution during his time in Scotland, scoring nine goals in 24 appearances across all competitions. However, uncertainty over his future followed delays in Celtic offering him a new contract, leaving the striker free to move on at the end of the campaign.
His subsequent move to Bursaspor represented a change of direction, taking him from Scotland’s top flight to Turkey’s second tier. His performances have since made an immediate impact, with 16 goals and three assists in 12 league matches.
The Nigeria international has now explained that he played a limited personal role in arranging the transfer, with his representatives and the Turkish club’s directors handling most of the discussions.
“To be fair, I don’t talk about transfers. I really try to concentrate on my football. The transfer talks were done with the agents and directors,” Iheanacho told Bursaspor TV.
The forward said he became aware of Bursaspor’s interest through his agent, who subsequently outlined the details of the proposed move.
“Of course, I am aware of the transfer talks. I don’t really know how they were contacted, but I was told by my agent that Bursaspor were in contact. He explained everything to me in detail. I was happy, and I said yes,” he added.
Iheanacho said the explanation he received helped persuade him that joining the Turkish side was a worthwhile opportunity, with the discussions providing reassurance about the move.
“It’s a good and interesting place, according to how he told me about it. We went through everything together, and we saw it was a very concrete situation,” he said.
The striker’s impressive start has provided a positive outcome following the uncertainty surrounding his departure from Celtic. Despite the absence of a permanent agreement with the Scottish club, Iheanacho has quickly established himself as a prolific attacking presence at Bursaspor.
His record of 16 goals in 12 league appearances, alongside three assists, highlights the impact he has made since arriving in Turkey. The figures also underline how quickly he has adapted to his new surroundings after moving away from the Scottish Premiership.
Rather than taking charge of the transfer discussions himself, Iheanacho relied on his agent to explain the club’s interest and the circumstances of the proposed move. Once he had received the necessary information, he was satisfied with the opportunity and agreed to join.
The move has therefore brought a rapid change in circumstances for the Nigerian forward. After helping Celtic achieve domestic success during his loan spell, he faced an uncertain future when a new contract was not forthcoming.
Bursaspor’s approach offered him an alternative, and his performances so far have rewarded that decision. With 16 league goals already recorded, Iheanacho has made a productive start to his career in Turkish football, turning an unexpected summer transfer into a successful move on the pitch.
