Project over paycheck: Iheanacho chooses Bursaspor over Celtic

Nigeria striker Kelechi Iheanacho, 29, has turned down a new contract from Scottish champions Celtic to sign for Turkish side Bursaspor, citing the club’s promotion project; he will earn £1.2 million a year as Bursaspor push for a second straight rise to the Turkish Super Lig.

Bursaspor, fresh from winning the TFF Second League, are targeting a second consecutive promotion to the Turkish Super Lig and have identified a proven goal‑scorer as essential in a league where scoring depth is crucial.

Iheanacho said he asked his agent to secure the move despite a new contract offer from Celtic, and confirmed his salary will be £1.2 million a year at the Turkish club.

Reports claimed the forward was offered £47,000 per week, but club president Enes Celik clarified the annual wage is £1.2 million – roughly £23,000 per week – and stressed that the project, not the money, drove the decision.

The striker had signed a one‑year deal with Celtic in September after leaving Sevilla and completing a loan spell at Middlesbrough; the deadline to extend his contract by an additional year passed without renewal.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill later revealed he wanted Iheanacho to stay, saying a new deal had been offered and describing the situation as “two sides to every particular transfer”, adding he thought a deal was in place.

In his first interview with Bursaspor, Iheanacho praised the club as a big Turkish side that previously won the Turkish Super Lig, saying the project of climbing back to the top tier and playing in Europe appealed to him and that his target is to help the team reach the Super Lig.

He also noted the similarity of the green and white shirts, remarking Bursaspor’s kit is a darker green compared with Celtic’s lighter shade, and described the move as a new challenge as he heads to “pastures new”.

Bursaspor now rely on Iheanacho’s goals to achieve their promotion ambition, aware that scoring depth will be decisive in the competitive race for the Turkish Super Lig.