Nigeria striker Kelechi Iheanacho has turned down a new contract with Celtic and joined Bursaspor, who have just been promoted to Turkey’s second tier, as former loanee Marcelo Saracchi admitted defeat in his bid to return to the Scottish champions.
On the same day, centre-half Maik Nawrocki ended his three-year spell at Celtic Park by signing a four-year contract with French Ligue 1 runners-up Lens.
The Scottish champions had tabled a new offer for 29-year-old Iheanacho after he helped them to the domestic double during an injury-affected season.
But Bursaspor, who won the TFF Second League last season, have announced the signing of Iheanacho and paraded him in their own green and white hoops.
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Celtic manager Martin O’Neill had expressed his desire to retain Iheanacho and Saracchi, the 28-year-old left-back who was on loan last season from Boca Juniors.
But the Uruguayan has written a “goodbye” message to Celtic fans on Instagram.
“We had an intense, beautiful year together where we achieved so many of our goals,” he said.
“My agent and I did absolutely everything within our power to make a return to Glasgow happen.
“I’m truly gutted I won’t be able to continue at the club at this stage of my career. However, I know our paths will cross again in the future.”
The news comes a day after Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson revealed it was proving “difficult” to add to their squad this summer because they are competing with big-spending English Championship clubs for players.
Celtic have made just one signing this summer so far – Colombian striker Camilo Duran from Qarabag for an undisclosed fee.
They remain short of centre-forward options before the new season amid uncertainty over the future of Japan international Daizen Maeda, who is entering the final year of his contract.
Former Manchester City and Leicester City forward Iheanacho hit nine goals for Celtic last season, having joined as a free agent after the summer transfer window closed.
He missed a chunk of the season with a hamstring injury and only started two games after October.
However, Iheanacho – who joined from Sevilla in 2025 – scored six goals coming off the bench as Celtic won their final nine games to clinch a Scottish league and cup Double.
Meanwhile, Saracchi made 27 appearances for Celtic, albeit only 10 were starts.
Nawrocki exits after a season on loan to Hannover 96 in Germany’s second tier.
