The Nigerian forward spent three years at the Etihad Stadium with Manchester City before saying his goodbyes
Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho has revealed the real reasons he switched from Manchester City to Leicester City in the summer of 2017.
Iheanacho arrived at the Etihad Stadium in 2014 after helping Nigeria romp to glory at the FIFA u17 World Cup the previous year.
And within a year of joining Manchester City, head coach Manuel Pellegrini promoted the teenager into the first team set-up.
The youngster went on to make 64 appearances, scoring 21 goals and assisting eight others for City. Iheanacho was also a member of the City squad that won the League Cup in 2016.
But everything changed with the sacking of the Uruguayan manager and the arrival of former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola.
Iheanacho saw less playing time under Guardiola and when it became clear that he was not in the long-term plans of the Spaniard, it was time to leave.
Iheanacho confesses that he had offers from different clubs but he found he had developed an affection for Leicester City during the Foxes’ remarkable Premier League winning campaign.
Despite playing for City, Iheanacho admits he rooted for Leicester to win the title and he celebrated their triumph when they incredibly achieved it.
While joining them in August felt good, Iheanacho also confirms that Leicester signing Super Eagles teammate Wilfred Ndidi also played a key role in his decision.
Both players have gone on to become great friends and were a crucial part of the Foxes team that powered to a historic first-ever FA Cup in 2021.
“Everything changed at Manchester City so I had to find somewhere else,” Iheanacho told LCFC. “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.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Soccernet earlier reported that Iheanacho had no intention of signing for Manchester City back in 2014 as he wanted to prove his mettle in a smaller club.
But he changed his mind after his father convinced him that he could make it in one of the biggest clubs in England.
