A-League wonderkid Nestory Irankunda ‘is in Bayern Munich’s first-team plans’ after signing record transfer fee to join German giants
- Nestory Irankunda could play for Bayern Munich next year
- Will be given ‘every opportunity’ in the preseason to show his class
- A-League’s Young Gun, 17, ready to join the Bavarian giants in July
Bayern Munich will reportedly give young A-League player Nestory Irankunda ‘every opportunity to break into the first team’ when he joins the club in July next year.
The 17-year-old signed a deal with the German giants for a record fee of $5.5 million earlier this month, and if the Adelaide United winger excels early he could be teammates with England captain Harry Kane in the Bavarian capital.
Speaking on A-League podcast KEEPUP, football journalist David Davutovic confirmed that Bayern Munich do not intend to immediately send Irankunda out on loan as widely expected.
“I understand he will train with the Bayern first team when he gets there,” he said.
‘He will have every opportunity to break through into the first team. ‘It is no different than the deal that was made [Canadian star] Alfonso Davies.
‘They are seriously looking at Nestory as part of their first-team plans, so he could be playing in the Bundesliga this time next year… it’s extraordinary to think!
Bayern Munich will reportedly give A-League youngster Nestory Irankunda ‘every opportunity to break into the first team’ when he joins the club in July next year
Speaking on A-League podcast KEEPUP, journalist David Davutovic confirmed that Bayern Munich will not immediately loan Irankuba as widely expected.
Fellow journalists David Weiner and Tom Smithies agreed that Irankunda is a ‘huge talent’, before expressing concerns about the teenager’s temperament and whether the opportunity in Europe may have come too early in his career.
Irankunda was born in a refugee camp in Tanzania before his parents Gideon and Dafroza moved the family to Adelaide in 2013.
As a junior, his talent was quickly recognized and Irankunda made his A-League debut for the Reds in January 2022 at the age of 15.
A string of world-class goals followed on local shores, with Bayern reportedly winning the race for his signature ahead of 12 rival clubs in Europe.
“I am happy that this is all completed and that I am going to one of the best clubs in the world, it is a real dream come true,” Irankunda said in a club statement.
“It will be great to be able to finish the season with Adelaide United and try to have some success [in the A-League].
‘I have been at the club for three or four years now and I am very grateful to have had such a loving and respectful environment since coming here.
“The coaches have taken care of me and taught me so much, my teammates have always supported me and the members and fans have been so good to me.
“So I’m hoping I can help pay that back before I move.”
Nestory Irankunda (pictured, left) made his A-League debut for Adelaide at the age of 15
Irankunda will move to Germany in July and get the chance to play with Harry Kane (left) at Bayern Munich
While he is happy to remain in Australia and develop his game under coach Carl Veart, the minimum age for a global transfer is 18 under FIFA rules, which Irankunda will change in February.
Adelaide United CEO Nathan Kosmina said the idea is for Irankunda to focus on his football now.
“This is a great opportunity for Nestory and his family to join one of the biggest clubs in the world,” he said in a statement.
‘We are proud of Nestory and the role our club has played in his development.
“We have a strong track record of developing young South Australian talent and we want our players to have opportunities to play at the highest level.
‘We recognize the status of the A-League as part of a global football landscape and whilst our primary focus as a club is always team success, developing players who can represent Australia and play in the world’s top competitions is something we do well. in his. very proud of it.’