Kelechi Iheanacho has revealed he was skeptical about joining Premier League club, Manchester City seven years ago.
Iheanacho came into the limelight after starring for Nigeria’s U-17 side at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by United Arab Emirates.
The 27-year-old won the Golden Ball award for player of the tournament.
The forward scored six times and provided seven assists in the competition.
Arsenal, FC Porto and Sporing Lisbon were interested in him at that time but it was Manchester City that won the battle for his signature.
Iheanacho stated that he doubted if he would play regular football at Manchester City and was not too keen on the move.
“I didn’t believe that it was going to happen,” Iheanacho told LCFC when describing his feelings upon hearing the news that the Manchester club were interested in signing him.
“After the Under-17s [World Cup] I was looking at going to other teams in Europe.
“But when they said I was going to Manchester City, I was surprised and saying: ‘How can I go there to that massive team? Am I going to play?’ I said I wouldn’t go and that they should take me to a smaller team.
“However, my father said to me that it doesn’t matter where I go, I know how to play football and that will get through there. So, I believed in him, he blessed me and I went to Man City.”
He made 46 appearances for the Citizens with 12 goals to his name.
Iheanacho linked up with Leicester City from the current Premier League champions in 2017 after turning down a move to West Ham United.
The Nigeria international has scored 26 goals in 132 appearances for the Foxes.
