Manchester City has paid tribute to Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho, recognising him as one of the top five African players in the club’s Premier League history. Iheanacho, who currently plays for Sevilla, featured at number four on the prestigious list, behind Yaya Touré, Riyad Mahrez, and Kolo Touré.
Kelechi Iheanacho joined Manchester City after his fantastic performance at the FIFA U17 world Cup 2013 edition. His performance at the tournament caught the eyes of many European top clubs, but it was Man City that won his signature.
During his time at the Etihad, Iheanacho made 46 Premier League appearances, scoring 12 goals across two seasons. He first broke into the spotlight in the 2015-16 campaign under Manuel Pellegrini, netting against Crystal Palace, Swansea, Tottenham, Southampton, and Stoke City. Under Pep Guardiola, he continued his scoring form with strikes against Manchester United, Bournemouth, Hull City, and another goal against Southampton.
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Iheanacho played 64 matches for City in all competitions, registering 21 goals and 7 assists before departing in 2017 for Leicester City. His inclusion in the top five reflects not only his impact at Manchester City but also the legacy of African players at the club.
Iheanacho in action for Sevilla.( Photo by Getty images/
Top 5 African Players in Manchester City’s Premier League History
– Yaya Touré: 230 appearances
– Riyad Mahrez: 145 appearances
– Kolo Touré: 82 appearances
– Kelechi Iheanacho: 46 appearances
– Wilfred Bony: 36 appearances
One would thought after Iheanacho joined Manchester city as a young player, that he will develop into a world super star player considering the array of stars he is going to play along with including Kevin De Bruyne and a fantastic coach in Manual Pellegrini although we saw a glimpse of a star in the making at the club. But after Iheanacho left Manchester City his career began to dwindle.
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After leaving Manchester City, Iheanacho joined Leicester City, where he won the FA Cup, Community Shield, and helped the club secure promotion back to the Premier League by lifting the EFL Championship title. He ended his seven-year stint at Leicester in 2024, joining Spanish side Sevilla as a free agent. In July 2024, Iheanacho joined Middlesbrough on loan from Sevilla.
