Iheanacho Reveals Why He Snubbed Celtic for Bursaspor's Ambitious Project

Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho has finally broken his silence on his surprising move to Turkish club Bursaspor, revealing he explicitly told his agent to 'do everything possible' to secure the transfer despite a successful season with Scottish champions Celtic. The 29-year-old's decision, announced last week, saw him reject a contract extension with the Hoops, opting instead for Bursaspor ambitious plan to climb back into the Turkish Super Lig and compete in Europe. Iheanacho's departure from Celtic, where he played a pivotal role in their 2025/26 domestic double triumph, raised eyebrows, especially since the Glasgow club held a one-year option to retain him. However, Celtic reportedly allowed this clause to expire, making the prolific striker a free agent and allowing him to negotiate elsewhere. Despite manager Martin O'Neill stated desire to keep him at Parkhead, Iheanacho was swayed by Bursaspor vision, a club he admired for its history as former Turkish champions, ultimately signing a three-year deal worth €1.4 million annually. This high-profile move sets Iheanacho to spearhead Bursaspor campaign to secure promotion from Turkey's second tier, with their 2026/27 season kicking off on August 9. The saga highlights the increasing influence of player ambition and agent directives in modern football transfers, challenging traditional club loyalty and emphasizing the allure of compelling long-term projects, even in unexpected leagues. Fans will be watching closely to see if Iheanacho can deliver on Bursaspor grand vision.