Kelechi Iheanacho: Nigeria striker ‘shocks’ with move to Turkish second tier Bursaspor

Nigeria forward Kelechi Iheanacho has stunned observers by turning down a new contract at Celtic to sign for Turkish second division side Bursaspor as a free agent, according to Nigerian outlet OwnGoalNigeria.com.

The Super Eagles attacker, 30, had been expected to remain in Glasgow after the Scottish club made the first move to keep him, offering a fresh two‐year deal when his initial 12‐month contract expired at the end of the season.

However, sources say the proposal from Celtic came on significantly reduced terms – described by one insider as “a disrespectful offer” – opening the door for Bursaspor to step in and meet the player’s wage demands in full.

Reduced Celtic offer triggers exit

Iheanacho’s one‐year agreement at Celtic Park came to an end this summer, leaving him free to negotiate with other clubs.

Celtic, who had been keen to retain the Nigeria international after his debut campaign, are understood to have made it clear early that they wanted him to stay and tabled a new two‐year contract.

But the offer was reportedly at almost half of what Iheanacho earned during his first season in Scotland, at the very moment when the experienced forward was pressing for an improved salary.

The gap between the club’s proposal and the player’s expectations is believed to have been the decisive factor behind his departure.

Bursaspor step in to meet wage demands

Bursaspor, a club with a strong fan base but currently outside the Turkish top flight, had been monitoring Iheanacho’s situation for some time.

Once word reached Turkey that the Nigerian was unhappy with Celtic’s terms, informal discussions were opened with his representatives, who are said to have outlined a firm salary figure they believed would be beyond the reach of a second‐tier side.

A source told OwnGoalNigeria.com that Celtic’s proposal was viewed as “a disrespectful offer”, and that Bursaspor’s swift response took the player’s camp by surprise.

According to the report, officials at the Bursa club accepted the financial conditions set out by Iheanacho’s entourage, leaving his representatives “stunned” and obliged to relay the offer to the player.

‘No choice’ but to inform Iheanacho

Informal talks between Bursaspor and Iheanacho’s camp are said to have progressed quickly once it became clear the Turkish side were willing to pay in full what had initially been presented as a hard‐line demand.

His representatives, having floated their salary expectations, “were left stunned when the Turkish side accepted to pay and had no choice but to inform the player who accepted the move,” Nigerian journalist Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman reported.

The move means Iheanacho, capped by Nigeria and with experience in European football, will now continue his career outside the traditional top leagues, prioritising financial terms and a central role at Bursaspor over remaining with Celtic on reduced wages.

Free‐agent status key to deal

Iheanacho’s availability on a free transfer removed any need for a fee, making the financial package more straightforward for Bursaspor despite their second‐tier status.

While the deal has surprised many fans and observers – given the step down in league profile from Scotland’s top flight to Turkey’s second division – the agreement underlines the growing financial competitiveness of ambitious clubs outside Europe’s major leagues.

Further details of Iheanacho’s contract length at Bursaspor have not yet been disclosed, and neither Celtic nor Bursaspor have officially commented on the reported terms of the move.