Kelechi Promise Iheanacho (spelled Ịheanachọ in Igbo ) (born 3 October 1996) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a striker for club Leicester City and the Nigeria national team.
A prolific goalscorer with creative abilities, he was a highly promising talent during his youth.
He is nicknamed Senior Man and is renowned for his vision, dribbling, speed and finishing.
2012
In December 2012, Iheanacho travelled to England to discuss a move to Manchester City.
2013
At international level, Iheanacho represented Nigeria's under-17 team at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, being named the tournament's best player and finishing as the second-highest goalscorer as he led the side to their record fourth title.
Iheanacho was elected the Most Promising African Talent twice in 2013 and 2016, also being named as a substitute for the CAF Team of the Year in 2016.
Iheanacho was born in Owerri, Imo State.
As a youth, he represented Taye Academy in Owerri, the capital city of Imo.
His performances for Nigeria in the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup led to interest from clubs in Europe; teams following his progress included Arsenal, Sporting CP and Porto.
As the year drew to a close, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) named him the Most Promising Talent of the Year for 2013 at the CAF Awards of 2013.
2014
He signed a pre-contract agreement with the club, stating his intent to formally sign for City on his 18th birthday in October 2014.
In the interim, he returned to Nigeria.
Before the 2014–15 season, City visited the United States on a pre-season tour, and although still not formally a City player, he joined up with the squad.
He played and scored in the first match of the tour, a 4–1 win against Sporting Kansas City, and scored again against Milan in a 5–1 win.
After the conclusion of the tour, Manchester City arranged for Iheanacho to train with the Columbus Crew until mid-October.
The following week, he scored the only goal as Manchester City beat Porto in the final of the 2014–15 Premier League International Cup.
2015
Iheanacho began his senior career at Manchester City during the 2015–16 season, winning the Football League Cup.
He would then be included in Nigeria's under-20 team for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, before making his senior international debut later that same year.
Iheanacho joined Manchester City's Academy on 10 January 2015.
Delays in obtaining a work permit meant Iheanacho was unable to play in England until February 2015.
He made his debut at under-19 level in a UEFA Youth League match against Schalke 04, but sustained an injury after only 11 minutes.
After his recovery, he began to represent Manchester City at both youth and under-21 level in the latter part of the season.
He played in the FA Youth Cup final, where he scored, but ended on the losing side after Chelsea claimed a 5–2 aggregate victory.
In July 2015, Iheanacho was included in City's pre-season tour team in Australia.
On the tour, he set up the first goal for Raheem Sterling and scored the second goal in the win against Roma in the 2015 International Champions Cup.
He also set up Sterling for the fourth goal in City's 8–1 victory against the Vietnam national team.
In City's last preseason game, against VfB Stuttgart, he came on as a substitute, scoring late on in a 4–2 defeat.
Due to his impressive pre-season, Iheanacho was promoted to the Manchester City senior squad.
On 10 August 2015, Iheanacho was included in a first-team matchday squad for the first time in a competitive fixture, however he remained an unused substitute in their 3–0 win at West Bromwich Albion in their first game of the Premier League season.
Nineteen days later, he made his competitive debut, replacing Raheem Sterling for the final minute of a 2–0 win against Watford at the City of Manchester Stadium.
He scored his first competitive goal on 12 September, replacing Wilfried Bony in the final minute in a match away to Crystal Palace and scoring the only goal of the game.
2016
Iheanacho scored his first career hat-trick on 30 January 2016 against Aston Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup, also setting up City's fourth goal, scored by Raheem Sterling.
The following month, he was put in City's UEFA Champions League squad at the expense of the injured Samir Nasri.
During February, Iheanacho scored against Tottenham Hotspur in a 2–1 home defeat for City.
Iheanacho's next goals came on 23 April 2016, where he scored twice against Stoke City in a 4–0 victory.
He followed this up with a Champions League semi-final substitute appearance on 26 April 2016.
2017
He moved to Leicester City in 2017 for a reported £25 million fee, the largest ever transfer amount for a Nigerian player at the time and the second-largest for an African player after Egyptian Mohamed Salah.
2018
Since then, he has represented the country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and at the 2021 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, finishing as runner-up in the latter tournament.
2020
Iheanacho was instrumental in Leicester City's 2020–21 FA Cup success, scoring a joint-high four goals across the edition as the club won the trophy for the first time.
He also scored the match's sole goal from the penalty spot as Leicester lifted the 2021 FA Community Shield.
