Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho has completed a loan move to EFL Championship side Middlesbrough, barely six months after joining Spain’s Sevilla on a two-year deal following the expiration of his contract at Leicester City.

Iheanacho joins Middlesbrough on a deal until the end of the 2024/25 season, with no obligation to buy for the Michael Carrick-led side. The 28-year-old striker becomes Boro’s sixth signing of the winter transfer window, following the loan arrival of Samuel Iling-Junior from Aston Villa earlier on Monday.

It was not a particularly fulfilling stint for Iheanacho at Sevilla, where he managed just nine La Liga appearances in six months. His compatriot, Chidera Ejuke, who also arrived in the same window, made 12 appearances before suffering a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for over two months.

Sevilla had earlier bolstered their attack with the signing of another Nigerian forward, Akor Adams, who joined from French side Montpellier on a deal running until 2029. Iheanacho’s exit ends hopes of a Nigerian trio fronting the attack at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, but his move to Boro offers a much-needed fresh start.

A return to the Championship is expected to reignite Iheanacho’s form, considering his nine-goal contribution in 26 games was pivotal to Leicester City securing a spot in this season’s Premier League.

Iheanacho joined Leicester from Manchester City for £25 million in 2017. The Super Eagles star won the 2021 FA Cup and went on to score 61 goals in 232 appearances for the club across seven years.