Seville / September 1, 2025 — In a stunning late-night development just before the transfer window deadline, Sevilla FC and Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho have mutually agreed to terminate his contract, freeing him to pursue new opportunities as a free agent.
Official Statement
Sevilla released a statement saying:
“Sevilla FC and Kelechi Iheanacho have reached an agreement to terminate the contract of the Nigerian striker, who was linked to the club until June 30, 2026. The club thanks him for his contribution and wishes him the best for the future.”
Season in a Nutshell
- Joining Sevilla: Iheanacho signed with Sevilla in July 2024 on a two-year deal after departing Leicester City as a free agent.
- Performance at Sevilla: He made 9 La Liga appearances without scoring and only found the net three times in early rounds of the Copa del Rey.
- Loan Spell: In February 2025, he moved on loan to Middlesbrough, scoring once and providing two assists in 15 matches, with the Championship side ultimately declining any purchase option.
Club Sentiment & Mid-Season Plans
- Sevilla’s sporting director Victor Orta publicly admitted that signing Iheanacho “was a mistake” and that the club would analyze what went wrong with the transfer decision.
- Throughout the 2024–25 season, uncertainty surrounded his future—he was reportedly “free to leave,” and the club explored terminating his contract or securing a transfer to alleviate his high wages and lack of impact.
What This Means Now
- For Iheanacho: He is now a free agent with immediate eligibility to join a new club even after the transfer window closed, since his departure was by mutual agreement.
- For Sevilla: This move ends a regrettable chapter and frees up salary space—potentially used to reinforce the squad elsewhere.
- Next Steps for the Player: Clubs across Europe remain interested—reports mention late interest from Celtic, who can now proceed without rushing to meet a deadline—and others in England, Turkey, and elsewhere may be exploring options.
|
Aspect |
Details |
|
Player |
Kelechi Iheanacho |
|
Contract Status |
Terminated by mutual consent — previously valid until June 2026 |
|
Timeframe |
Announced September 1, 2025, just before transfer window closed |
|
Sevilla Stats |
9 La Liga apps (0 goals), 3 Copa del Rey goals |
|
Loan Record |
Middlesbrough: 15 apps, 1 goal, 2 assists |
|
Club’s View |
Signing regarded as a mistake; seeking to offload to manage wage bill |
|
New Status |
Free agent; reportedly new offers emerging (e.g. Celtic) |
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