Nigeria international Kelechi Iheanacho has signed a new two-year contract extension with Manchester City to extend his stay at the club until 2021, the Premier League side announced on Thursday.
The 19-year-old established himself in the City first team last season, scoring 14 times in all competitions including eight goals in 26 Premier League outings.
He also took his maiden steps in the Champions League—making four appearances as City registered their best ever finish in the competition, a semi-final berth.
This season, much is expected of the teenage hitman under Pep Guardiola, with the forward tipped to progress and develop his game under the tutelage of the Spanish coach.
Iheanacho has already made an impact during a brief cameo appearance against Sunderland, when he pressured Black Cats debutant Paddy McNair into scoring an own goal to give the Citizens a 2-1 victory in Guardiola’s first match.
The new contract is a demonstration of just how highly the club and Guardiola think of Iheanacho, particularly considering the largescale changes that the Spanish coach is expected to implement at the Etihad Stadium.
Meanwhile, new Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has revealed his first impressions of Kelechi Iheanacho and explained why the teenage forward has been handed a contract extension.
The Citizens confirmed on Thursday that the wonderkid had been awarded a new deal which keeps him at the Etihad Stadium until 2021.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Guardiola acknowledged just how highly he believes Iheanacho can go in the game.
He scored some wonder goals last season. We rank his best of 2015/16!
“Kelechi is a natural goal-scorer,” the former Barcelona manager told the club’s official website. “I knew about him before, but I’ve been really impressed with him since I arrived.
“I like his personality, his attitude, his ability – we hope to help him reach the highest level and to realise his full potential.”
Iheanacho shone last term—his first significant opportunity to shine in the Premier League—scoring 14 goals in all competitions, as well as finding the net eight times in 26 appearances in the top flight.
Guardiola certainly knows a fine young talent when he comes across one, having played a critical role in the development of Lionel Messi at Barcelona and of Thomas Muller at Bayern Munich.
While many players in the City squad face uncertain futures, with Pep given license to oversee wholescale changes at the club, it would appear as though Iheanacho has the manager’s seal of approval!
