Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho has promised to help Middlesbrough achieve a dream come back from the English Championship to the English Premier League after completing a loan move from La Liga outfit, Sevilla, on transfer deadline day.
The 28-year-old striker who will spend the remainder of the 2024/25 season on loan at Boro, said he was excited to return to England and a chance to help the coach Michael Carrick-led side achieve its targets for the season
“I’m really excited to be here and have been welcomed by the players and everybody; so, I’m happy,” Iheanacho who helped Leicester win the Sky Bet Championship last season before moving to Sevilla, told Boro’s website in his first official interview. “Everything (about the transfer from Sevilla to Middlesbrough) moved quickly .
“Middlesbrough is cultured team obviously even from the few time I’ve spent here. The manager (Michael Carrick) is a nice guy, good guy. I have spoken with him, and it’s really a very good team. Good to be here and I can’t wait to get started.
“I have discussed some private stuffs with the manager but obviously, on how we are going to move forward. And go up to the Premier League.”
Though he had a torrid time in Sevilla where he featured in nine La Liga games without a goal, Senior Man as Iheanacho is well called, said it was good experience to have tasted another culture and environment in Spain even as he hope the experience would come in good stead for him at Boro.
“It was good to experience another environment and culture. It’s a big club and the atmosphere at the club is great,” he stated. “I love my experience there and obviously, Seville is a great place. I will always love to go back there.
“ But I’m here now and let’s see what we can achieve, it feels like home coming back to England and I’m buzzing to get started. Hopefully.”
Dwelling on his previous experience playing in the Championship with Leicester City, the former Manchester City’s striker said he is at the ready to show the stuff he’s made off at Boro.
He continued: “To be fair, it was a good experience playing in the Championship with Leicester City and we won (the Championship), it was a great experience. I played against Middlesbrough as well, though I didn’t score against them . So I have played in the Championship and I know what’s it like. It will really be good to get started.
“I’m ready to go and can’t wait to get started . This is a great club and Championship is a great championship.
“I’m not a great fan of (setting) targets but obviously it would be collective as a team to get to the Premier League. But it’s one step at a time, we have a good team and we can work together to achieve that goal,” he concluded.
