One of Australia’s best young talents is on the verge of a life-changing European football contract, with teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda poised to sign with a Bundesliga club.
Renowned football reporter Fabrizio Romano on Friday night reported German Giants Bayern Munich were “closing in on (a) deal” to sign Irankunda, who’s just 17 years old.
Romano reported Irankunda’s fee with Bayern had been “verbally agreed”, with the deal worth just over $5.6 million (AUD) fixed, plus “add-ons”.
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Irankunda had been linked to a Bayern Munich move in May this year. But it now appears the winger is bound for the Bundesliga in 2024, which would continue his incredible rise.
Blessed with a thunderous right foot and a remarkable ability to find the top corner from the tightest of angles, Irankunda burst onto the scene in the A-League as a 15-year-old.
The emerging star found the back of the net last month for Adelaide United with a sizzling free kick in the Reds’ 6-0 demolition of Melbourne City at Coopers Stadium.
“I think he’s got a really good chance of being a top, top player,” Adelaide United teammate and English midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe said of Irankunda.
Irankunda fires home unstoppable goal! | 00:48
“He’s got all the athleticism that you need to be a top player. He’s got the natural ability, the one-on-one skills of a striker, so I think if he gets the mental side of it right, listens to the older boys in the team and keeps his feet on the ground, I think the world is his oyster.
“It’s up to us as a group to keep his feet on the ground and let him play with freedom.”
Irankunda is currently suspended in the A-League Men’s competition after being sent off in the Reds’ 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory when he copped his second yellow card for dissent.
“He’s still learning the game and there’s a lot for him to learn, not just what happens on the pitch but what happens off the pitch as well,” Adelaide United coach Carl Veart said of Irankunda.
“In a way, it could be a blessing for him to have that little bit of a rest anyway.
“He was getting close to having a rest, and it’s just been more forced than us giving him a rest.”
