Kelechi Iheanacho said Michael Carrick has assured him that Middlesbrough’s goals remain promotion to the Premier League this season - with hopes that he can be the man to fire them there.

The striker joined Boro on transfer deadline day on loan from La Liga side Sevilla. The agreement included no purchase option, largely because Boro are only paying a small fraction of the Nigerian international’s high wage in Spain. He is believed to have had plenty of interest from elsewhere.

Iheanacho only moved to Sevilla in the summer after his seven years at Leicester City came to an end. But after making only five starts in the first half of the season, the 28-year-old has made the quick return to England, where he hopes to win promotion from the Championship for the second consecutive season.

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“I’m really excited to be here,” Iheanacho said in his first club interview. “It’s a lovely place and I already feel so welcome by everyone, so I’m really happy. It all came about really quickly and moved pretty fast, and I’m just buzzing to be here.

“Obviously, there are good coaches here and a good team. I’ve played against the club a good few times so I know it’s a really good club. I spoke to the manager and he was a really nice guy. We discussed everything from training to games and how he wants the club to move forward. It was clear that the goal is to get to the Premier League, which was good. I can’t wait to get started.”

Though Iheanacho’s loan deal doesn’t include an option to buy, Boro feel a deal could be done at the end of the season if all proved successful. For the striker, after a tough six months, the move offers him an opportunity to play again. And having scored five goals last term in helping Leicester win the Championship, he’s hoping that experience can now help him push Boro towards promotion too.

He continued: “It was good to move away and experience a different environment. They produce a great atmosphere there and it’s another great club. I loved my experience there, it’s a great team. I’m here now though, and focused on what I can achieve here.

“England feels like home now and I’m buzzing to get started. I have the experience of the Championship with Leicester last season and it was obviously a good one. I played against Middlesbrough as well, but didn’t manage to score! But I’ve played in the league and know how it is.

“I think that will help me get started right away. I’m feeling ready to go. I’m not big on setting targets, but collectively, as a team, it is to get back to the Premier League. Obviously it’s one step at a time, but hopefully we get there. We’ve got a good group of lads here, good team, and hopefully we can work together to achieve that goal.”

Having grown up in Nigeria before joining Manchester City’s academy, Iheanacho then moved to Leicester where he spent seven years before last summer’s move to Sevilla. Though things haven’t worked out in Spain, the 28-year-old’s footballing routes on the streets of Nigeria means his love of the game and appreciation for what he has has never waned.

“I’ve loved football since I was a kid,” he said. “Playing around the streets in Nigeria before then progressing to academies, it’s what I love. I still enjoy playing and I’m so proud of my journey from Nigeria. It’s good to represent my country.

“Every time I step on the pitch I’m representing my country. I’m proud of it. I’ve enjoyed good experiences over the years. There have been ups and downs, but I always try to enjoy it. Hopefully I will have a good experience here and enjoy it here.”