BEVERLY HILLS, April 03, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian man of the moment in the English Premier League, Leicester City forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, who only yesterday was announced the Premier League Player of the Month, has signed a new deal that extends his contract to 2024.
Iheanacho joined the Foxes from Manchester City on a five-year-contract worth £25 million in 2017 and has found his scoring boots, netting nine times in his last nine appearances in all competitions for Brendan Rodgers’ side, which has helped them stay in contention for European football next season. The original agreement between club and player would have kept him at Leicester City until the end of the 2021-2022 season.
His clinical stance in front of goal included five goals in three Premier League matches last month which were decisive in making him named the best in the division’s for March. And, with injury burdens keeping many first choice players sidelined, Leicester know they are better served if they keep their best players motivated, content and contributing their best to the fortunes of the side.
The 24-year-old Nigeria international was elated when he disclosed his joy at having penned this new deal to Leicester’s official website: “I can’t express how I’m feeling. I’m excited, I’m happy, I’m overwhelmed! It’s a great moment and I’m happy that Leicester City gave me a new contract.
“It’s been a great time here. It’s not been easy, but there’s a lot of people here that are good people, great people to work with. They are nice people and they make me feel comfortable and welcome since I came in. It’s been really great being here. It’s like a family. I’m happy being here and hopefully I can stay here many more years.”
Since his move to the East Midlands from Manchester, the forward has appeared in 117 games for the Foxes. His 2020/2021 season tally of 12 gives him a total of 32 in all competitions for the King Power team. On Saturday, he and his teammates will clash with champions-elect Manchester City, for whom Iheanacho scored 12 times in 46 league matches.
Brendan Rodgers, who reposes much confidence in Iheanacho’s abilities, was full of praise for the Nigerian ahead of Saturday’s tie: “I think you see a young player playing at the top of his game.
“When he was at Manchester City he was a young developing player who hadn’t played much. He came here for a big fee (reported to be £25million) and then of course coming into a team with one of the league’s best strikers (Jamie Vardy) has needed some adapting from him.
“I can only speak for the two years I’ve been here but his work, his ambition to become a better player was always there.
“He’s a wonderful character within the squad, constantly smiling, and whatever role he’s been asked to play he’s played it very well. The combination between him and Jamie is very good and at 24 there’s a lot of improvement in him.”
These comments reflect the adulation Iheanacho received from City’s tactical-minded manager, Pep Guardiola, in his own pre-match remarks: “The quality was there, he was a young player here and I believe in that moment with Gabriel and Sergio we didn’t have much space. He is a fantastic person, we had a good relationship together so I’m delighted that it’s going well lately.
“He’s playing for the injured Maddison and of course he links really well with the midfield and he’s good in behind. He’s fast and in the final third he has the right tempo, he’s so clear in front of the goal.”
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
