Share
By Anthony Nlebem.
Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho has revealed how national team-mate Wilfred Ndidi influenced his decision to move to Leicester City in 2017 after failing to get regular playing time at Manchester City.
Iheanacho arrived at the Etihad Stadium in 2014 after impressive performances for Nigeria at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, scoring six goals and seven assists to his name.
After a year of signing for the Citizens, Manuel Pellegrini promoted Iheanacho to the senior team where he made 64 appearances, scoring 21 goals and assisting eight others for the Citizens and was a member of the squad that won the League Cup in 2016.
But everything changed with the sacking of Pellegrini and the arrival of Pep Guardiola saw play less and when it became clear that he was not in the long-term plans of the Spaniard, it was time to leave.
Iheanacho added that Super Eagles teammate Wilfred Ndidi played a key role in his decision to move to King Power Stadium.
“He (Wilfred Ndidi) came in January that season, so I knew he was there. I didn’t get to speak to him but knowing my friend was there was nice. If I needed any support or anything, I knew he would tell me.
Iheanacho hinted that he had offers from different clubs but decided to sign for Leicester.
“Everything changed at Manchester City so I had to find somewhere else,” Iheanacho admits. “There were a couple of options and clubs, but Leicester City was the one for me.”
“It’s crazy because when I was playing at Man City, I supported Leicester as well in the season they won the league because it was fantastic what they did. When they won the trophy, I was celebrating, I was happy.
“I thought it would be a good move for me to go there and a place where I would enjoy my football. It’s a family club with lovely people. My family and everyone around me supported it and they said it would be a very good place to go.”