Nigerian football player Kelechi Iheanacho, who was born on October 3, 1996, is a gifted and skilled international player. For the well-known Premier League team Leicester United and the Nigerian Super Eagles, he is a central forward. As a professional player, he has won several Awards.
Early Life
On October 3, 1996, Kelechi Iheanacho was born in Imo State to Mr. James Iheanacho and Mrs. Mercy Iheanacho. He was raised in Imo State, a state in Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone, together with his three siblings. When Kelechi was 14 years old, his mother passed away.
Career
Kelechi Iheanacho started as a street footballer when he was very young. Based on his special football skills, he attracted the attention of some local football teams, where he later started his career in football. In 2013, he was called to play in the FIFA Under 17 World Cup.
English Premier League
After his impressive performance in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2013, European football clubs Arsenal, Sporting Clube de Portugal, and Porto FC displayed interest in signing the Nigerian striker. He played his first international match in England in August 2015 against Watford FC after joining Manchester City FC of the English Premier League. He scored his first goal for Manchester City against Crystal Palace on September 12, 2015.
He scored his first hat trick on January 30, 2016, against Aston Villa in an FA Cup match. He was one of just a select few players in English Premier League history to attain that milestone before turning 20 thanks to his 10 goals during the 2016–17 campaign. He joined the distinguished group of footballers that included Romelu Lukaku, Wayne Rooney, Nicolas Anelka, Ryan Giggs, Michael Owen, and Ryan. He was also a candidate for the FIFA Golden Boy Award in 2016. He played a significant role in helping Manchester City win the Football League Cup in 2015–16.
In August 2017, he committed to a five-year contract with Leicester City FC, reportedly for $34.96 million. He participated in his first game for Leicester City on August 11 against Arsenal, then on October 24 against Leeds United, he scored his first goal for the English national team. In 85 matches in England, Kelechi has scored 27 goals.
Super Eagles
Kelechi started representing Nigeria at the U-13 level before breaking through on the U-17 team. He played a significant role in the Nigerian team’s 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup victory. For his outstanding performance at the event, he was awarded the Golden Ball and the Silver Shoe. On May 27, 2016, the Nigerian attacker, who had previously made his senior team debut against Swaziland qualifications as a replacement, scored his first goal for his nation against Mali in a friendly match. He has 8 goals in 14 games for the senior national team.
Awards & Nomination
- 2021: Premier League Player of the Month
- 2017: CAF Africa’s finest XI
- 2016: CAF Team of the Year in
- 2013: FIFA U-17 World Cup Silver Shoe
- 2013: FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball
- 2013: CAF U-17 African Championship Silver Shoe
- 2013: CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year
Net Worth
The research of many web sources indicates that Kelechi Iheanacho’s net worth is approximately $7 million. He is the highest-paid Nigerian football player in the English Premier League. The striker currently earns more than $3.2 million annually from his club, Leicester City, and makes over $60,000 per week. His estimated market value is $15 million or more.
