Overview
- Nestory Irankunda has agreed to join Championship side Watford on a four-year deal reportedly worth $5.3 million, with Bayern Munich retaining a buy-back option and 50 percent sell-on rights.
- After scoring once and providing three assists in 19 Swiss Super League appearances for Grasshoppers Zurich, the 19-year-old winger is targeting consistent first-team minutes to boost his international prospects.
- Socceroos coach Tony Popovic welcomed the transfer as a development opportunity and signalled a possible recall for upcoming friendlies against New Zealand, Canada and the United States.
- Popovic emphasised that raw talent must be paired with professional maturity, drawing on his past experience with Wilfried Zaha at Crystal Palace to highlight off-field growth.
- Born in a Tanzanian refugee camp to Burundian parents, Irankunda made his professional debut at 15 for Adelaide United before moving to Bayern Munich and later joining Grasshoppers on loan.