Sevilla's sporting director, Victor Orta, has admitted that signing Nigerian international Kelechi Iheanacho last summer was a mistake.

Iheanacho joined the Rojiblancos as a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Leicester City.

The 28-year-old has struggled to secure regular playing time since arriving at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.

Iheanacho made just nine La Liga appearances under former Sevilla manager García Pimienta and failed to make any meaningful impact.

The Super Eagles striker was later loaned to Sky Bet Championship side Middlesbrough in January.

“I want to clarify that the first two strikers were brought in as complements, to be practically the third striker, because there was a starter like Youssef [En-Nesyri] and a striker who later appeared, like Isaac [Romero],” Orta was quoted as saying by Futbol Fantasy.

“But it’s clear that betting on Kelechi this season has been a mistake, and we will analyze why we made it—and we are doing so now.”

WDN