Bursaspor head coach Mustafa Er has revealed that the Turkish club faced stiff competition from several teams, including Scottish champions Celtic, before securing the signature of Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho during the summer transfer window.
The Nigerian forward has wasted little time justifying the club’s efforts, delivering a blistering run of goalscoring form in Turkey’s second tier since arriving as a free agent in July 2026.
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Iheanacho joined Bursaspor after talks with Celtic broke down, turning down a stay to remain with the Scottish Premiership giants despite helping them secure a domestic title during the 2025/26 campaign.
The former Manchester City and Leicester City forward registered nine goals in 24 appearances across all competitions for Celtic after joining the club in September 2025. The two sides agreed on a new deal, so the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball winner opted for a fresh challenge in Turkey.
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That decision is already paying dividends, with Iheanacho scoring 11 goals in eight consecutive matches and establishing himself as one of the standout performers in the Turkish second division.
His impressive start has also earned praise from Bursaspor manager Er, who acknowledged the work that went into bringing the experienced striker to the club and stressed that Bursaspor’s stature was a major factor in winning the race for his signature.
Speaking to reporters at the Özlüce İbrahim Yazıcı Facilities over the weekend, Er expressed his hope that Iheanacho would extend his scoring streak in the club’s next outing while praising the growing unity and productivity within his squad.
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“Iheanacho continues to score. I hope he scores this week too. We have a positive team,” Er said.
“There is tremendous progress in team spirit. Productivity is also increasing. People are more productive when they are happ; we win as a team.
“We transferred Iheanacho so that he would score goals. We worked very hard for that transfer. We also need to thank our management.
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“There was a lot of demand for him. The club’s size was also a key factor in choosing us. We are getting the contribution we want.”
Bursaspor’s successful pursuit of Iheanacho represents a significant statement of intent from the Turkish club, which has benefited from the striker’s experience and finishing ability as it looks to achieve its ambitions.
Beyond his club exploits, the 30-year-old also made an impression on his return to the Super Eagles. Iheanacho opened the scoring in the 10th minute of Nigeria’s entertaining 3-3 draw against Russia on 6 October, underlining his sharpness in front of goal and maintaining his momentum on the international stage.
With his goals flowing for both club and country, Iheanacho is making a compelling case for himself as he looks to sustain his resurgence in Turkey and strengthen his standing in Nigeria’s attacking options.
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