Adelaide United reveal the ‘five top leagues in Europe’ all wanted to sign Nestory Irankunda before young star went with Bayern Munich
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Nestory Irankunda believes he can make an immediate impact at Bayern Munich after rejecting other offers from Europe’s top five leagues to join the German giants.
The 17-year-old moves from Adelaide United to Bayern in July after being sold for a record A-League fee.
United declined to provide details on the amount, but the multi-year deal would be around $5.5 million.
“We leave the speculation about figures to the media, there are all kinds of figures being discussed,” Adelaide CEO Nathan Kosmina told reporters on Wednesday.
“We have had interest from all over the world, the top five leagues in Europe.
Irannunda offers other players from Europe’s top five leagues to join German giants Bayern
The teenager (pictured with his father Gideon and coach Carl Veart) wants to make a big impact at Bayern and compete for the first team
‘Bayern was ultimately the best destination… they are one of the biggest clubs in the world, but they pride themselves on developing young players.’
The previous transfer record in the A-League was the $2.9 million that Scottish giants Celtic paid for Marco Tilio from Melbourne City in June this year.
Irankunda, flanked by Kosmina and coach Carl Veart, said he was ready to challenge for a first-team place at Bayern, a club with megastars including England captain Harry Kane.
“I think so, I think so,” the soft-spoken winger told reporters.
“It’s obviously everyone’s dream to play in Europe’s top competition, so it’s going to be great.”
His coach Veart said Irankunda “wants to hit the ground running when he gets there, he wants to get the chance to play in their first team.”
“He’s an exciting young player and it’s important that we understand that he’s still quite a young player and that we don’t put too many expectations on him,” Veart said.
“It’s been an honor for him so far to have to deal with a lot of those expectations.”
The 17-year-old was born in Tanzania after his parents Gideon and Dafroza fled war-torn Burundi.
Irankunda joined the Bundesliga champions for a record A-League transfer fee
Irankunda was unfazed by the hype surrounding his performances for United in his 38 appearances.
“Obviously this has been happening for a while,” he said.
‘I’m getting used to it, no problem. I think I’m doing pretty well, just trying to deal with it all.”
Irankunda was born in Tanzania after his parents Gideon and Dafroza fled war-torn Burundi.
The family moved to Australia when Irankunda was still a baby, initially in Perth and then settled in Adelaide, where his talents on the field were quickly spotted by United.
“His speed and strength, but people seem to forget that he is also technically very good and his ball striking is exceptional,” Veart said.
“I get excited when I see him playing according to his instincts… I never gave Nestor too much information to play his football, just let him go out there and play.
‘A lot of young players have that potential, but it’s what they do with that potential. Nestor has remained true to himself and continued to work.
“He’s had some bumps in the road at times, but he’s stayed on his path.”