Kelechi Iheanacho signs new Manchester City deal

Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2021.

The 19-year-old broke into the first team last season — scoring 14 goals in all competitions.

And the Nigeria international has moved up in the pecking order ahead of Wilfried Bony as Sergio Aguero’s backup striker.

The club has now rewarded Iheanacho with a new deal that will keep him at the club for the next five seasons.

He’s here to stay! @67Kelechi signs new deal

– Manchester City (@ManCity) August 18, 2016

“I can’t express how I’m feeling. I’m very happy to sign my new deal for this club, I’m excited,” Iheanacho told City’s website.

“I just need to keep working hard and express my feelings on the pitch, and work really well and do great things for the team.

“I’m happy and I appreciate everything the club has done for me so far at this point so I really need to help and work for them as well.”

Iheanacho only made his Premier League debut last August but went on to score eight times with a better goal-per-games ratio than any other striker.

Former City boss Manuel Pellegrini said his emergence was the reason he allowed forwards Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic to leave the club last season.

New boss Pep Guardiola is also a fan and believes he can become a top striker at City.

“Kelechi is a natural goal scorer. I knew about him before, but I’ve been really impressed with him since I arrived,” said the Catalan coach.

“I like his personality, his attitude, his ability — we hope to help him reach the highest level and to realise his full potential.”