
After enduring a difficult first half the 2024-25 campaign with Spanish La Liga club Sevilla FC, Nigeria national team forward Kelechi Iheanacho is returning to English football.
The 28-year-old secured a transfer deadline day loan from Sevilla to EFL Championship side Middlesbrough FC on Monday, paving the way for the Nigerian to earn regular playing time. The loan will run until the end of the season.
Iheanacho joined Sevilla on a free transfer after seven seasons spent at Leicester City, with whom he played in the English Premier League. The forward featured in a rotation role last season as the club bounced back up to the top flight after being relegated following the 2022-23 season, after which the native of Nigeria's Imo State was released.
With hopes of being a reliable rotation option after Sevilla secured his services on a free transfer, Iheanacho struggled with injuries and failed to impress coach Franciso GarcÃa Pimienta. He made nine appearances in La Liga with zero goal contributions and scored three goals in two Copa del Rey appearances against lower league opposition.
Middlesbrough hope that the experienced Iheanacho can provide depth in their forward corps as Boro attempt to push for promotion from England's second tier. The North Yorkshire club currently sit in seventh place with fierce competition for a place in the promotion playoffs.
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