Iheanacho joins Bursaspor on three-year deal, departs Celtic

By Ngozi Eze — 18 July 2026 — 3 min read

Iheanacho’s move to Turkey

Kelechi Iheanacho, the Super Eagles striker, has officially completed a move to Bursaspor in the Turkish Super Lig. This transfer marks the end of his time with Celtic, the Scottish Premiership champions. Iheanacho joins Bursaspor as a free agent, having signed a three-year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2029.

The move was announced by Bursaspor through a video posted on their official X account. This announcement quickly garnered attention from football enthusiasts in both Turkey and Nigeria. Iheanacho’s arrival means another Super Eagles star will be playing in Turkey, joining the ranks of players like Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen.

The 29-year-old striker’s contract with Celtic expired on June 30. Despite Celtic’s efforts to retain him in Glasgow, including reportedly offering new terms after not activating an automatic 12-month extension in his previous deal, Iheanacho opted for a new challenge in Turkey. Bursaspor reportedly presented a more financially appealing package to secure the Nigerian international’s services.

Impact at Celtic and future aspirations

During his tenure at Celtic, Iheanacho was a significant contributor, particularly in the 2025-26 season. Although injuries limited his playing time, he consistently made an impact when called upon. He concluded the campaign with nine goals in 24 appearances, earning a reputation as a reliable match-winner from the bench.

Iheanacho scored several crucial late goals, including decisive winners against Motherwell, Dundee, and Hibernian, which were instrumental in Celtic’s successful defense of the Scottish Premiership title. His influence grew notably in the final weeks of the season, where he netted five goals in his last eight appearances, despite coming on as a substitute in every match.

One of his most memorable moments was converting a last-minute penalty against Motherwell in a thrilling 3-2 victory, a result that brought Celtic closer to another league championship. He also contributed to Celtic’s domestic double, scoring in their 3-1 victory over Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Cup final, helping the Glasgow club secure both the Premiership title and the Scottish Cup.

Iheanacho’s departure is seen as a blow to Celtic, especially given his consistent threat from the bench after returning from injury. His former manager, Martin O’Neill, was reportedly keen on him staying for another season. However, Celtic did not activate the one-year extension option in his contract.

This move to Bursaspor represents another significant chapter in Iheanacho’s career, following previous spells with Manchester City, Leicester City, and Sevilla before joining Celtic. He now aims to become a key figure in Bursaspor’s rebuilding project.

Bursaspor’s announcement and club background

Bursaspor officially announced Iheanacho’s signing with a creative Odyssey-themed video across the club’s social media platforms. The club, also known as Bursaspor Kulübü Derneği, is a professional sports club based in the city of Bursa. They currently compete in the TFF First League, which is the second tier of the Turkish football league system.

The signing of Iheanacho as a free agent, after his contract with Celtic expired in June, was confirmed by Bursaspor on Friday via a video shared on their official X account.

The Nigerian international’s decision to join Bursaspor comes after he turned down an offer to remain with the Scottish Premiership champions. His extension clause with Celtic had expired, leading to his availability on a free transfer.

Source: thisdaylive.com