- Nestory Irankunda could play for Bayern Munich next year
- Will be given ‘every opportunity’ to show his class in preseason
- A-League young gun, 17, poised to join Bavarian giants in July
Bayern Munich will reportedly give A-League young gun Nestory Irankunda ‘every opportunity to break into the first team’ when he joins the club in July next year.
The 17-year-old inked a deal with the German giants for a record $5.5million earlier this month, and if the Adelaide United winger excels early, he could be teammates with English captain Harry Kane in the Bavarian capital.
Speaking on A-League podcast KEEPUP, football journalist David Davutovic confirmed Bayern Munich won’t look to instantly send Irankunda out on loan, as was widely expected.
‘My understanding is that he will train with the Bayern first team when he gets there,’ he said.
‘He will have every opportunity to break into the first team. ‘It’s not dissimilar to the deal that was done for [Canadian star] Alphonso Davies.
‘They are seriously looking at Nestory as part of their first team plans, so this time next year he could be playing in the Bundesliga … it’s extraordinary to think!
Bayern Munich will reportedly give A-League young gun 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 Bayern Munich won’t instantly send Irankuba out on loan, as was widely expected
Fellow journalists David Weiner and Tom Smithies agreed Irankunda is an ‘immense talent’, before voicing their concerns over the teenager’s temperament and whether the opportunity in Europe has possibly 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 recognised and Irankunda made his A-League debut for the Reds at the age of 15 in January of 2022.
A catalogue of world-class goals have followed on local shores, with Bayern reportedly winning the race for his signature ahead of 12 rival clubs in Europe.
‘I’m happy to have this all finalised and to be heading to one of the best clubs in the world, it’s a real dream come true,’ Irankunda said in a club statement.
‘It’s going to be great to be able to see out the season with Adelaide United and try and have some success [in the A-League].
‘I have been with the club for three or four years now and I’m really grateful to have had such a loving and respectful environment since I’ve been here.
‘The coaches have looked after me and taught me so much, my teammates have always had my back and the members and fans have been so good to me.
‘So I hope to be able to help repay that before I move.’
Nestory Irankunda (pictured, left) made his A-League debut for Adelaide aged just 15
Irankunda will move to Germany in July and have the chance to play with Harry Kane (left) at Bayern Munich
While happy to stay and develop his game in Australia under coach Carl Veart, the minimum age for a global transfer under FIFA rules is 18, which Irankunda turns in February.
Adelaide United’s chief executive Nathan Kosmina said the intention is for Irankunda to now focus on his football.
‘This is an exciting opportunity for Nestory and his family for him to go to 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 to see our players get opportunities to play at the highest level.
‘We realise the A-League’s standing as part of a global football landscape and while as a club our primary focus is always team success, developing players that can go on to represent Australia and play in the top leagues in the world is something we are extremely proud of.’
