Middlesbrough beat Celtic to Iheanacho signing
Middlesbrough have completed the signing of Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho.
The 28-year-old agreed to join the 2004 EFL Cup winners, with Michael Carrick’s side having the option to make the transfer permanent in the summer.
The striker was unveiled as a Boro player at the Riverside just before their game against Sunderland on Monday evening.
Boro beat Celtic to the capture of the Iheanacho, while Leeds United are also understood to have shown an interest.
The Nigerian international replaces Emmanuel Latte Lath, who is set to complete his move to Atlanta United. Despite the fact there hasn’t been confirmation yet, that the deal will go through as planned.
Boro identified potential permanent replacements for Latte Lath but weren’t able to strike a deal late in the window, with selling clubs pumping up prices.
Iheanacho was seen as a high-class loan option, with the striker arriving with Premier League and Championship experience. Boro are understood to have been delighted with the deal they were able to agree with Sevilla.
They’re believed to be paying less than 50 per cent of the striker’s wages.
According to Sky Sports, Middlesbrough will cover nearly the entire €2m that Iheanacho is still owed by Sevilla for the remainder of the campaign.
Iheanacho endured a difficult spell in Spain since joining Sevilla from Leicester City last summer, failing to score in nine La Liga appearances. His only goals for the club came in the Copa del Rey, where he netted three times.
The former Manchester City striker turned down offers from Greek clubs PAOK and Panathinaikos, as well as Italian side Venezia, in favour of returning to England. A potential move to Scottish champions Celtic, which would have reunited him with former Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers, also fell through.
Iheanacho will hope to rediscover his scoring touch at the Riverside Stadium as seventh-placed Middlesbrough chase promotion to the Premier League. The Championship side have collected 44 points from 29 matches and currently sit just outside the playoff places.
