Kelechi Iheanacho explains summer move after controversial Celtic departure

The Nigerian striker had been keen to remain at Parkhead and made his position clear to Martin O’Neill, who was interim manager at the time.

O’Neill was also hopeful of keeping Iheanacho, but Celtic allowed the 30-year-old’s contract to expire without an agreement being reached and he eventually moved on.

That decision has worked out impressively for the striker so far.

Iheanacho has hit the ground running in Turkey, scoring 11 goals and providing two assists in just eight appearances for Bursaspor.

Now away on international duty with Nigeria, the former Celtic forward has defended the standard of football in Turkey and explained why he is enjoying his new surroundings.

“As a player, you have your reasons for choosing any club you join in Turkey,” Iheanacho told the NFF.

“For me, football is the same all over the world, no matter where you go. You play the same game everywhere. Several of us are in Turkey, and in the division where I play, there are many Nigerians that people might not know about. But it is a good league.

“I don’t know how people rate the league, but it’s a genuinely tough division and not as easy as people think.

“When you come here to play, you will see whether it is easy or not. My teammates who are here can testify to that as well. I’m enjoying it, and I know they are enjoying it too. It’s a very good league.”