Latest news with #Irankunda
The Advertiser
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Boost for Socceroos as Irankunda signs five-year deal
English soccer fans can brace themselves for plenty of dazzling backflips with young Socceroos star Nestory Irankunda securing a five-year deal with Championship outfit Watford. The Hornets announced the signing on their website late Friday, with club sporting director Gian Luca Nani taking great pride in welcoming Irankunda. "Nestory was extremely sought after and thanks to our established scouting network and connections we were able to be ahead of others in the race to sign players of this potential," said Nani. "Crucially, we were able to move quickly when opportunities like this arise and that's been the hallmark of our successful recruitment." The news is sure to delight Socceroos mentor Tony Popovic with next year's World Cup in mind. Irankunda is an unquestionable talent but struggled to get game time at Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. Popovic spoke of wanting to see the 19-year-old playing consistently and developing more, and at Vicarage Road he is set to get that chance. "Nestory can be a very special player and we believe he can realise his potential here," said Nani. "He is exactly the sort of profile Paulo (coach Paulo Pezzolano) wanted in a winger. "The player wanted to come here as he sees the pathway, he has seen how we develop young players at Watford and the vision we have for this club. "We are absolutely delighted to have signed Nestory and he's added further to the huge feel-good factor around the training ground. "We're thrilled to have you with us, Nestory!" Named as one of 'top 50 wonderkids' in March last year, Irankunda was an unused substitute twice for Bayern - including in a UEFA Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk in December. The youngster, known for his exuberant backflips when celebrating a goal, made 15 appearances for the German side's second string and scored four goals before being handed the chance of top-flight football with a loan spell at Grasshopper Club Zurich. He played 19 times for the Swiss Super League side, scoring once. Irankunda first burst onto the scene at Adelaide United during the 2021/22 season, making his debut and scoring his first goal directly from a free-kick when he was just 15. He made 61 appearances for the club over three seasons, scoring 16 goals and jointly winning the A-League's Young-Player-of-the-Year award at the end of 2023/24. Irankunda has five Socceroos caps and scored his maiden international goal in the World Cup qualifier against Palestine in June last year under then coach Graham Arnold. English soccer fans can brace themselves for plenty of dazzling backflips with young Socceroos star Nestory Irankunda securing a five-year deal with Championship outfit Watford. The Hornets announced the signing on their website late Friday, with club sporting director Gian Luca Nani taking great pride in welcoming Irankunda. "Nestory was extremely sought after and thanks to our established scouting network and connections we were able to be ahead of others in the race to sign players of this potential," said Nani. "Crucially, we were able to move quickly when opportunities like this arise and that's been the hallmark of our successful recruitment." The news is sure to delight Socceroos mentor Tony Popovic with next year's World Cup in mind. Irankunda is an unquestionable talent but struggled to get game time at Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. Popovic spoke of wanting to see the 19-year-old playing consistently and developing more, and at Vicarage Road he is set to get that chance. "Nestory can be a very special player and we believe he can realise his potential here," said Nani. "He is exactly the sort of profile Paulo (coach Paulo Pezzolano) wanted in a winger. "The player wanted to come here as he sees the pathway, he has seen how we develop young players at Watford and the vision we have for this club. "We are absolutely delighted to have signed Nestory and he's added further to the huge feel-good factor around the training ground. "We're thrilled to have you with us, Nestory!" Named as one of 'top 50 wonderkids' in March last year, Irankunda was an unused substitute twice for Bayern - including in a UEFA Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk in December. The youngster, known for his exuberant backflips when celebrating a goal, made 15 appearances for the German side's second string and scored four goals before being handed the chance of top-flight football with a loan spell at Grasshopper Club Zurich. He played 19 times for the Swiss Super League side, scoring once. Irankunda first burst onto the scene at Adelaide United during the 2021/22 season, making his debut and scoring his first goal directly from a free-kick when he was just 15. He made 61 appearances for the club over three seasons, scoring 16 goals and jointly winning the A-League's Young-Player-of-the-Year award at the end of 2023/24. Irankunda has five Socceroos caps and scored his maiden international goal in the World Cup qualifier against Palestine in June last year under then coach Graham Arnold. English soccer fans can brace themselves for plenty of dazzling backflips with young Socceroos star Nestory Irankunda securing a five-year deal with Championship outfit Watford. The Hornets announced the signing on their website late Friday, with club sporting director Gian Luca Nani taking great pride in welcoming Irankunda. "Nestory was extremely sought after and thanks to our established scouting network and connections we were able to be ahead of others in the race to sign players of this potential," said Nani. "Crucially, we were able to move quickly when opportunities like this arise and that's been the hallmark of our successful recruitment." The news is sure to delight Socceroos mentor Tony Popovic with next year's World Cup in mind. Irankunda is an unquestionable talent but struggled to get game time at Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. Popovic spoke of wanting to see the 19-year-old playing consistently and developing more, and at Vicarage Road he is set to get that chance. "Nestory can be a very special player and we believe he can realise his potential here," said Nani. "He is exactly the sort of profile Paulo (coach Paulo Pezzolano) wanted in a winger. "The player wanted to come here as he sees the pathway, he has seen how we develop young players at Watford and the vision we have for this club. "We are absolutely delighted to have signed Nestory and he's added further to the huge feel-good factor around the training ground. "We're thrilled to have you with us, Nestory!" Named as one of 'top 50 wonderkids' in March last year, Irankunda was an unused substitute twice for Bayern - including in a UEFA Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk in December. The youngster, known for his exuberant backflips when celebrating a goal, made 15 appearances for the German side's second string and scored four goals before being handed the chance of top-flight football with a loan spell at Grasshopper Club Zurich. He played 19 times for the Swiss Super League side, scoring once. Irankunda first burst onto the scene at Adelaide United during the 2021/22 season, making his debut and scoring his first goal directly from a free-kick when he was just 15. He made 61 appearances for the club over three seasons, scoring 16 goals and jointly winning the A-League's Young-Player-of-the-Year award at the end of 2023/24. Irankunda has five Socceroos caps and scored his maiden international goal in the World Cup qualifier against Palestine in June last year under then coach Graham Arnold.
Perth Now
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Boost for Socceroos as Irankunda signs five-year deal
English soccer fans can brace themselves for plenty of dazzling backflips with young Socceroos star Nestory Irankunda securing a five-year deal with Championship outfit Watford. The Hornets announced the signing on their website late Friday, with club sporting director Gian Luca Nani taking great pride in welcoming Irankunda. "Nestory was extremely sought after and thanks to our established scouting network and connections we were able to be ahead of others in the race to sign players of this potential," said Nani. "Crucially, we were able to move quickly when opportunities like this arise and that's been the hallmark of our successful recruitment." The news is sure to delight Socceroos mentor Tony Popovic with next year's World Cup in mind. Irankunda is an unquestionable talent but struggled to get game time at Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. Popovic spoke of wanting to see the 19-year-old playing consistently and developing more, and at Vicarage Road he is set to get that chance. "Nestory can be a very special player and we believe he can realise his potential here," said Nani. "He is exactly the sort of profile Paulo (coach Paulo Pezzolano) wanted in a winger. "The player wanted to come here as he sees the pathway, he has seen how we develop young players at Watford and the vision we have for this club. "We are absolutely delighted to have signed Nestory and he's added further to the huge feel-good factor around the training ground. "We're thrilled to have you with us, Nestory!" Named as one of 'top 50 wonderkids' in March last year, Irankunda was an unused substitute twice for Bayern - including in a UEFA Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk in December. The youngster, known for his exuberant backflips when celebrating a goal, made 15 appearances for the German side's second string and scored four goals before being handed the chance of top-flight football with a loan spell at Grasshopper Club Zurich. He played 19 times for the Swiss Super League side, scoring once. Irankunda first burst onto the scene at Adelaide United during the 2021/22 season, making his debut and scoring his first goal directly from a free-kick when he was just 15. He made 61 appearances for the club over three seasons, scoring 16 goals and jointly winning the A-League's Young-Player-of-the-Year award at the end of 2023/24. Irankunda has five Socceroos caps and scored his maiden international goal in the World Cup qualifier against Palestine in June last year under then coach Graham Arnold.
New Straits Times
19-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Australia winger Irankunda completes Watford switch from Bayern Munich
HERTFORDSHIRE: Australia international Nestory Irankunda has joined Watford on a five-year deal from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, the English Championship club announced on Friday. The highly-rated 19-year-old, who made his debut for the Socceroos last June, made the switch for an undisclosed transfer fee. "Nestory can be a very special player and we believe he can realise his potential here, with us," said Watford sporting director Gian Luca Nani. "Nestory was extremely sought-after and thanks to our established scouting network and connections we were able to be ahead of others in the race to sign players of this potential." Irankunda made his professional debut as a 15-year-old for Adelaide United during the 2021/22 season and came to prominence with an eye-catching performance playing for an A-League select side against Barcelona. Born in Tanzania to parents from Burundi who moved to Australia when he was three months old, Irankunda chose to represent Australia at international level and was given his first cap by former coach Graham Arnold in June 2024. He scored his first goal for the country later that month against Palestine in his second appearance for the Socceroos before completing a move to Bayern Munich in an A-League record deal. He made his fifth appearance for Australia in a 3-1 win over China in October last year during Asia's World Cup preliminaries but has not been selected since by current coach Tony Popovic.
Straits Times
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Australia winger Irankunda completes Watford switch from Bayern Munich
Australia international Nestory Irankunda has joined Watford on a five-year deal from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, the English Championship club announced on Friday. The highly-rated 19-year-old, who made his debut for the Socceroos last June, made the switch for an undisclosed transfer fee. "Nestory can be a very special player and we believe he can realise his potential here, with us," said Watford sporting director Gian Luca Nani. "Nestory was extremely sought-after and thanks to our established scouting network and connections we were able to be ahead of others in the race to sign players of this potential." Irankunda made his professional debut as a 15-year-old for Adelaide United during the 2021/22 season and came to prominence with an eye-catching performance playing for an A-League select side against Barcelona. Born in Tanzania to parents from Burundi who moved to Australia when he was three months old, Irankunda chose to represent Australia at international level and was given his first cap by former coach Graham Arnold in June 2024. He scored his first goal for the country later that month against Palestine in his second appearance for the Socceroos before completing a move to Bayern Munich in an A-League record deal. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore A deadly cocktail: Easy access, lax attitudes driving Kpod scourge in S'pore Singapore 'I thought it was an April Fool's joke': Teen addicted to Kpods on news that friend died World Trump administration moves to release Epstein case transcripts amid public scrutiny Singapore 'May you find rainbows in your skies': Outpouring of support for Jetstar Asia staff as closure looms Singapore New auto pet wash service in Buona Vista draws flak, but firm stands by its safety Singapore 314 suicides reported in Singapore in 2024, remains leading cause of youth deaths Asia 'Guardian angels': Taiwan's dementia-friendly village promotes ageing in place Life US tech firm launches probe into Coldplay 'kiss cam' couple after clip goes viral He made his fifth appearance for Australia in a 3-1 win over China in October last year during Asia's World Cup preliminaries but has not been selected since by current coach Tony Popovic. REUTERS
Straits Times
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Australia's Irankunda hopes Watford move can boost World Cup chances
Find out what's new on ST website and app. MELBOURNE - Australia winger Nestory Irankunda hopes his move to English Championship side Watford can reboot his international career in time for next year's World Cup after being frustrated with his progress at Bayern Munich. Financial details of the transfer were not made available but British media reported he would sign a four-year deal at Watford. The teenager's transfer from Adelaide United to the German powerhouse was feted in Australia but he struggled to break through for a Bundesliga debut under Vincent Kompany and was loaned out to Grasshoppers in the Swiss Super League. Irankunda made his Australia debut under former coach Graham Arnold last year but has been overlooked by current boss Tony Popovic in the last three international windows. "It was a very hard decision (to leave Bayern Munich) but for me, my biggest goal is to play in a World Cup and the 2026 World Cup is just around the corner," the 19-year-old told Sky at London's Heathrow Airport. "So I have to be playing minutes and I wasn't playing (in Germany)." Irankunda, who was born in a Tanzanian refugee camp to Burundian parents before moving to Australia as an infant, became the second-youngest player to score for the Socceroos in a World Cup qualifier against Palestine in 2024. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Acute psychiatry services to be expanded across all healthcare clusters: MOH Singapore July BTO launch to have over 4,600 balance flats, 2 BTO projects with under than 3-year wait Singapore Baby died after mum took abortion pills and gave birth in toilet; coroner records an open verdict Life S'pore travel agency Beyond Expeditions criticised for planning, safety issues Business Tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter Kuok Hui Kwong appointed CEO of Shangri-La Asia Singapore Jail for drunk man who shoved stranger into Singapore River, causing him to drown Singapore 'Kpods broke our marriage, shattered our children': Woman on husband's vape addiction Singapore Asia-Pacific will need over 230k new pilots, 250k aircraft maintenance technicians by 2042: ICAO chief Australia sealed qualification for the World Cup in North America last month with a win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah. On his move to Watford, who finished mid-table last season, Irankunda said it had always been a dream to play in England. "The Championship's also a world-class league and competition," he said. "The best thing for me was to go somewhere else. "I'm excited and very happy with the opportunity I've been given and just ready to get started with the team." Popovic welcomed news of Irankunda's move. "Hopefully this next move can develop him further, and whether that's an immediate impact with us or not, it gives him a better chance of course," he said. REUTERS
