Adelaide United has confirmed teenage winger Nestory Irankunda is heading to European giants FC Bayern Munich for what’s believed to be an Australian record fee nearing $A6 million.
fThe clubs have agreed the transfer and the Adelaide junior has agreed personal terms. He will stay with Adelaide for the rest of this A-League season.
An Adelaide Croatia Raiders junior, the 17-year-old is the most prolific goal scorer under the age of 20 in A-League history, having registered nine goals in 38 games – with most of his minutes coming from the bench.
There is a clamour for him to be called up for the Socceroos but coach Graham Arnold has so far resisted.
“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,” said Irankunda in a club statement.
Nestory Irankunda. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)
“I’ve worked hard to try and make my family proud.
“It’s going to be great to be able to see out the season with Adelaide United and try and have some success.
“I’ve 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.”
Adelaide United Chief Executive Officer, Nathan Kosmina, said the decision to do the deal early allowed Irankunda to concentrate on the rest of the season free from speculation.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Nestory and his family for him to go to one of the biggest clubs in the world,” said Kosmina.
“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-Leagues’ 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.
“Given Nestory’s age, he will not complete his transfer until July 2024, which gives our members and fans a great opportunity to see one of the world’s brightest young talents play at Coopers Stadium for the entirety of the Isuzu UTE A-League 2023/24 season.”
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
ah the demanding parent trick..
Garry
Roar Rookie
nope ..wanted her picked earlier
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
i think they can still change though if only play 1 game
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
Its the socceroos though.. I think it would've been a perfect introduction for him into the team.. Ppl at work who've never shown an interest in soccer were wondering if he was going to play.
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
Was there anything stopping Adelaide loaning him to a lower tier England/Spanish club so that the transfer fee would be higher and increase the kickbacks to Adelaide? Or maybe it wouldnt matter..It seems the transfer is lower because he's coming form an Aussie club
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
Was the dad after better conditions or payments from Soccer Oz? she'd really lift their attack.. like she does for us
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
here i mean, in the baggy green or other Oz teams
Garry
Roar Rookie
her father was lobbying hard for her and I think used to threaten she'd go the Irish route.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Cricket is HUGE in that culture
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
Its suprising we still havent had many Aussie-Indian/Paki cricketers in the rep teams when theres heaps in schools and clubs.
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
I heard the Irish sports radio wishing she'd chosen them instead of Oz :laughing:
Punter
Roar Rookie
I understand but as Chris says below, perfect time to blood some young players & some marketing. Imagine this game played @ Sydney Olympic Park, 18 years to the day after Alosi slotted in that penalty to get us into the first WC in 32 years & highlighting our next potential superstar in Nestor (especially with all the media attention) wasn't even born back then making his debut.
chris1
Roar Rookie
These early rounds of WC qualification is the perfect time to lock in players that may qualify for other countries.
Kitwally
Roar Rookie
Appreciate your insights Secret Scout. Was reading an article about Irankunda and Julius Davies name came up. Signed for Bayern as a 17yo. Never kicked on. Now only 29 and playing Victorian State League. What’s the story with him?
Football Fan
Roar Rookie
LOL, yeah that would have done it for sure.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
i cant say who will make it because there's a lot of factors out of my control when it comes to players - but there is real generational talent flowing through SA currently (especially in the under 14 and 13 ages groups)
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
his football talents are not the concern, his wellbeing is though - that the issue. he's still a child that is prone to outbursts and he wont have his family and friends there + couple that with the fact that hes the most expensive teenager that bayern have bought since mathys tel a few years ago and you can see why there is some cause for concern
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
like i said the high school that he goes to specializes in german as LOTE - however hes never taken that class lol
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
national team selection is very interesting currently. arnie has been in touch with adelaide over irakundas availability, however he has been rebuffed by adelaide for his services. adelaide are doing everything they can to protect the player in terms of his own wellbeing, while the club and the player deal with the move theres been an absurd number of requests from media outlets since ive been back
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
correct adelaide receives the money, however itst not the figure mentioned that is running wild in the press currently