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Irankunda Set for Watford Move With Socceroos Recall in Sight

Irankunda’s switch to Watford could reignite his career with Popovic set to evaluate the teenager in friendly matches.

Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Tottenham Hotspur v Bayern Munich - Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea - August 3, 2024 Bayern Munich's Nestory Irankunda in action REUTERS/Kim Soo-Hyeon
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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.