Leicester City have completed their third major signing of the summer transfer window by securing the services of Kelechi Iheanacho from Manchester City.
Leicester City sign Kelechi Iheanacho
The Nigerian joins the champions of 2016 for a reported fee of £25 million. It is believed that Manchester City have inserted a buy-back clause in the deal.
After impressing in the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup with eight goals in just seven appearances, Iheanacho joined up with Manchester City’s pre-season tour in the United States that year and netted twice.
Ineligible for a work permit, Iheanacho had to wait patiently for his chance. He trained with Columbus Crew until mid-October before returning to participate in City’s youth squads. He finally got the chance to stake a claim for a place in the first team in 2015, starring in the pre-season tour of Australia. Subsequently, he was promoted to the senior squad, playing a sporadic substitute role in the club’s season and scoring eight league goals.
Last season was tough for the international, who found his playing time limited. It is no wonder as to why the forward is seeking a move following Pep Guardiola’s addition of Gabriel Jesus in January.
Explaining Leicester’s Interest
Leicester City scored 20 fewer goals last season than the year before. Record signing Islam Slimani made an insufficient contribution, as did Ahmed Musa. On top of that, Jamie Vardy failed to repeat his heroics from the season prior.
Iheanacho can undoubtedly improve their situation; he currently holds the best goal ratio in Premier League history, averaging a goal every 113 minutes. Finishing comes naturally to him. His physical presence will greatly boost Leicester’s attack, too. He stands at almost 6’2″ and possesses the strength to hold the ball up; ideal for his team-mates to feed off him.
Nevertheless, perhaps his most lethal asset is his positioning. He holds an innate ability to exploit space within a defensive unit which very few forwards can match. Even on a bad day, the poacher can materialise a goal from just being in the right place at the right time.
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