Sevilla Sporting Director admits signing Kelechi Iheanacho Was a “serious mistake”

By Monsurah Olatunji

Sevilla Sporting Director Victor Orta has described the signing of Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho as a “serious mistake,” admitting the club is reassessing its recruitment decisions following a disappointing season.

Iheanacho joined the LaLiga side on a free transfer from Leicester City last summer but failed to make an impact in Spain. The 28-year-old registered no goals in nine La Liga appearances and scored only three times in cup matches—each against lower-tier opposition.

His struggles prompted a January move to English Championship side Middlesbrough, where he initially failed to find form. However, he has since begun to regain confidence, scoring his first goal in a 2–1 win over Oxford United and providing two assists in a subsequent match against Blackburn Rovers.

Orta made the remarks during the unveiling of veteran coach Joaquín Caparrós, who replaced Javi García Pimienta following a 1–0 defeat to Valencia over the weekend.

“It’s clear that betting on Kelechi this season has been a mistake, and we will analyze why we made it—and we are doing so now,” Orta said.

“The first two strikers were brought in as complements, to be practically the third striker, because there was a starter like Youssef and a striker who later appeared, like Isaac.”

Orta also commented on the injury woes of fellow Nigerian forward Akor Adams, who joined from Montpellier but has struggled with recurring muscle injuries since arriving.

“In Akor, a difficult misfortune. Until this season, he had not suffered any muscle injury—just some back discomfort,” Orta explained.

“He has suffered muscle injuries often, and we are working to understand why, so they can be prevented. He is a player in whom we have a lot of confidence.”

Sevilla currently sit 14th in La Liga as the club looks to stabilize under new management and prepare for a critical summer transfer window.