Nigerian winger, Kelechi Iheanacho has officially ended his loan spell at Middlesbrough after a disappointing stint that yielded just one goal in 15 appearances, Footynaija.com reports.
With the club opting not to extend his stay, Iheanacho now returns to Sevilla, a team that, according to reports from Spain, are not actively planning to include him in their squad for next season.
Iheanacho joined Boro in January 2025 on a short-term loan deal aimed at helping the Championship side push for a play-off spot. However, things did not go to plan.
Over the course of 15 games, the former Manchester City forward struggled for form, managing just one goal and offering little of the sharp attacking threat he was once known for.
He played a total of 767 minutes in the league, averaging 50 minutes per match, and providing two assists. Middlesbrough’s official season review confirmed that all loanees, including Iheanacho, would be returning to their parent clubs.
Yet, the mood there is far from welcoming. The Spanish club signed him in 2023, but he has failed to settle in La Liga. Since joining Sevilla, Iheanacho has made just 11 appearances, scoring 3 goals across all competitions.
Multiple reports indicate that Sevilla are exploring ways to offload fringe players as part of a summer rebuild, and Iheanacho is one of those listed for potential sale.
However, his current contract runs until June 2026, and his wage demands could make a permanent move difficult unless he accepts a significant pay cut.
Iheanacho’s decline has been gradual but concerning. Injuries, competition for places, and inconsistent playing time, have reduced the Nigerian forward who was once tipped to become a major star after his breakthrough at Manchester City.
He had an impressive goal-scoring form at Leicester City, including 19 goals across all competitions in the 2020–21 season. But since then, his confidence and finishing touch have reduced.