Kelechi Iheanacho says he instructed his agent to do everything possible to thrash out a move to Bursaspor as he opened up on his Celtic exit for the first time.
The Nigerian striker, 29, last week stunned the Hoops by knocking back a contract extension to join Bursaspor in the Turkish second tier. Boss Martin O'Neill claimed the Parkhead giants had struck an agreement with the title-winning hitman before Iheanacho performed a U-turn to pen a £23,000-a-week deal in Turkey.
Iheanacho reveals his side of the story
Now, Iheanacho has given his side of the story, revealing he wanted to join Bursaspor after being sold by the club's ambitious plans. He said: "I'm very happy to come to Bursaspor. I thank so much the President for making this possible for me to come to Bursaspor, with the help of my agent as well. I'm very happy. I'm really, really excited to start here."
"To be fair, Bursaspor is a big club in Turkey and I had heard that they had previously won the Turkish Super Lig. When I heard about their project, that they wanted to climb up to the Super Lig and also play in Europe, I said that this is a big project and it's very good for me to come and be involved and help the team."
"So I asked my agent to make sure he does everything possible to make sure I come to Bursaspor. This is a big project and I hope I will be a part of it and help the team achieve this big project."
Promotion target and fan support
Iheanacho outlined the team's main objective: "We know what we want as a team. Collectively as a team, hopefully we achieve promotion, that is our main target - before the individual target of a player. My target is for us to go to the Super Lig."
He also praised the fans: "The fans are really positive and energetic. I thank them a lot for all their support since I've signed. They are very good fans and obviously always comment on my posts to come to Bursaspor. Finally, I'm here; they made it possible, so they are part of it. Hopefully we will enjoy winning together with the fans and enjoy going to the Super Lig together with them."
Familiar colours
While Iheanacho - who inspired Celts to a famous title comeback - will no longer be wearing the famous green and white of Celtic, he will still be donning familiar colours with his new side in Turkey. He added: "It's the same green and white, to be fair. I don't know if it's dejavu, like they say in French. It's the same shirt but Celtic is a bit lighter green, Bursaspor is dark green. It's a little bit different but it's all similar. It's all good."
