Kelechi Iheanacho: Breakdown of Celtic’s new ₦6.74bn contract for ex-Sevilla man

Celtic have tabled a lucrative new contract offer for Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho following the expiration of his previous deal, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Scottish champions are keen to retain the 29-year-old after his impressive contribution towards their domestic double last season, with manager Martin O’Neill publicly confirming that negotiations are ongoing.

According to reports, Celtic have offered Iheanacho a new two-year contract worth around ₦6.74 billion in total, excluding performance-related bonuses.

Super Eagles and Celtic forward Kelechi Iheanacho. Copyright: xAlexxToddxIMAGO

How much is Kelechi Iheanacho’s new Celtic contract worth?

The proposed agreement includes a weekly salary of £35,000, along with bonuses totalling £780,000 over the duration of the contract.

Based on the reported figures, Iheanacho’s basic salary package would look like this:

• Weekly wage: £35,000
• Annual salary: Approximately £1.82 million
• Two-year basic package: Approximately £3.64 million
• Performance bonuses: £780,000
• Total package: Approximately £4.42 million

Using current exchange rates, the overall package translates to roughly ₦8.2 billion. The deal also represents Celtic’s faith in the Nigerian despite concerns surrounding his fitness and age.

Kasper Schmeichel talks to Kelechi Iheanacho at Villa Park. Copyright: Imago

Why Celtic are willing to invest heavily in Iheanacho

At first glance, offering such a deal to a player who struggled with injuries last season may seem surprising.

However, Iheanacho repeatedly proved his value when Celtic needed him most.

The former Manchester City striker scored nine goals in all competitions and delivered some of the campaign’s defining moments.

He netted the dramatic late penalty against Motherwell, scored twice in the Scottish Cup semi-final and added another goal in the final as Celtic completed a domestic double.

More importantly, his performances demonstrated that he remains capable of influencing big games even when not fully fit.

For Martin O’Neill, retaining a player with such experience will be crucial as Celtic prepare for another demanding campaign.

Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill and Kelechi Iheanacho hug in an embrace. Copyright: ImagoxVagelisxGeorgariou

Why the contract makes sense for Iheanacho

Financially, the proposed deal provides stability at an important stage of Iheanacho’s career.

At 29, this could realistically be one of the final major contracts available to the Nigerian international before entering the twilight years of his playing career.

The offer also allows him to remain in an environment where he has rediscovered his confidence following difficult spells at Sevilla, Middlesbrough and Leicester City.

From a sporting perspective, remaining at Celtic also preserves his chances of staying relevant within the Super Eagles setup.

Regular football and UEFA Champions League exposure could prove invaluable as Nigeria continue preparations for future AFCON and World Cup campaigns.

Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic in action against Dunfermline Athletic. Copyright: ImagoxSportsxMedia

Why Iheanacho may still hesitate

Despite the attractiveness of the offer, the striker still has decisions to make. Clubs from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and the Major League Soccer remain interested in his services, with some capable of offering significantly larger financial packages.

There is also the issue of playing time. Although he enjoyed a productive season, Iheanacho was frequently used from the bench and struggled to complete full matches due to recurring fitness issues.

The Nigerian must seek guarantees regarding his role before committing his future to Parkhead.

A major vote of confidence from Celtic

Ultimately, the reported ₦8.2 billion proposal underlines just how highly Celtic rate Iheanacho.

Wilfred Ndidi centre and Kelechi Iheanacho celebrate. Copyright: ImagoxNickxPottsx

Allowing his previous contract option to expire may have raised questions over his future, but this new offer suggests the Scottish champions still view him as an important figure in their plans.

For Iheanacho, the decision now comes down to balancing financial security, playing opportunities and his long-term ambitions.

Should he accept, Celtic would retain one of the players who helped deliver silverware last season, while the Super Eagles striker would secure another significant chapter in what has already been an impressive career across several clubs in Europe.