Middlesbrough have officially secured the signing of Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho on transfer deadline day.
Iheanacho, 28, joins Boro on a loan deal from Sevilla, with the club holding the option to make the transfer permanent during the summer transfer window.
The striker was unveiled to fans at Riverside Stadium just before Middlesbrough’s match against Sunderland on Monday evening, sparking excitement among supporters eager to see his talent on display.
Middlesbrough fended off competition from Celtic and Leeds United, both of whom reportedly showed interest in Iheanacho, to finalize the deal.
His arrival comes at a crucial time, particularly as he fills the gap left by Emmanuel Latte Lath, who is expected to move to Atlanta United. Though Latte Lath’s transfer is yet to be finalized, it is believed to be imminent.
Boro had initially explored permanent replacements for Latte Lath but faced challenges due to inflated asking prices from other clubs as the transfer window neared its close.
Iheanacho is seen as an experienced loan option for Middlesbrough, bringing valuable experience from both the Premier League and the Championship.
Reports from Sky Sports suggest that Middlesbrough will take on nearly the full €2 million owed to Iheanacho by Sevilla for the remainder of the season.
Iheanacho’s time in Spain has been underwhelming since his move from Leicester City last summer. In La Liga, he struggled to score, failing to find the back of the net in nine appearances, though he netted three goals in the Copa del Rey.
Interestingly, Iheanacho rejected offers from Greek clubs PAOK and Panathinaikos, as well as an approach from Italian side Venezia, opting instead for a return to England. A potential reunion with his former Leicester City manager, Brendan Rodgers, at Celtic also fell through, making the Middlesbrough move an appealing and strategic choice.
Currently sitting in seventh place with 44 points from 29 matches—just outside the playoff spots—Middlesbrough is aiming for promotion to the Premier League. Iheanacho will hope to rediscover his scoring form and make a significant impact on the team’s push for success at Riverside Stadium.
