Bursaspor president Enes Çelik has confirmed that Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho will earn a guaranteed salary of €1.4 million per year (approximately N2.2 billion) following his move to the Turkish club on a three-year contract. Çelik made the disclosure during a pre-season press conference held at Topuk Yaylası, where Bursaspor are currently based for their preseason training camp.
Iheanacho's Move to Bursaspor Ends Celtic Stay
The Nigerian forward, who joins the club until the summer of 2029, arrived after parting ways with Scottish champions Celtic. Despite reports that the club had wanted to keep him after a productive 2025/2026 campaign, Iheanacho chose to seek a new challenge in Turkey. His departure from Celtic came after the club opted not to activate an extension clause in his contract, even as talks over a new arrangement had been ongoing.
How the Deal Came Together
According to the Daily Record, Çelik revealed that the pursuit of Iheanacho was far from straightforward, crediting several people within the club's structure for making the signing possible. 'We have been in contact with Kelechi Iheanacho for 40 days,' Çelik said. 'It was a bit difficult. I just watched his training session in terms of shooting. He feels different.' He added, 'Furkan Akın had serious contacts regarding the Iheanacho transfer. I thank them all. I thank our football department and our Administrative Manager.'
Financial Details and Value for Money
Çelik was open about the financial terms, while also defending the deal as a sound investment relative to what other clubs in the league are spending. 'It was important to handle it in a way that was in Bursaspor's best interests. Iheanacho has a guaranteed salary agreement with us of 1.4 million euros,' he said. 'We made a 3-year agreement. There are players in our league who earn 2.2 million euros but are not even half as good as Iheanacho. We are also considering the club's financial structure.'
Iheanacho's Role and Expectations
With Bursaspor set to compete in the 2026/2027 Turkish Super Lig season, Iheanacho will be expected to carry a significant share of the club's attacking load, building on the confidence he regained during his time in Scotland. The former Leicester City and Sevilla forward ends his stint in Scotland having contributed significantly to their domestic double, despite dealing with fitness concerns at various points during the season.
