The new African talent joining Bayern Munich is Nestory Irankunda. The 17-year-old wonderkid from Australia has made headlines with his move to the European powerhouse. Adelaide United agreed to let go of Irankunda for a record A-League fee of $5.5 million.
Irankunda’s journey to this point has been quite remarkable. Born in Kigoma, Tanzania on February 9, 2006, he spent his first three months in a refugee camp as his family fled the civil war in Burundi. The Irankunda family eventually settled in Adelaide, South Australia, where Nestory developed a love for football.
His performances caught the eye of Airton Andrioli, the head of youth at Adelaide United. Irankunda was invited for a trial and quickly earned a spot in the club’s academy. Initially starting with the reserve team, he impressed with 12 goals in 26 games, leading to his first professional contract.
In January 2022, Irankunda made his A-League debut at the age of 15 years and 333 days, becoming the sixth-youngest player in the league’s history. He scored his first league goal later that month, a crucial free-kick in stoppage time to secure victory against the Newcastle Jets. His standout performances earned him a spot in the A-League All-Stars squad to face Barcelona in May 2022.
The 2022-23 season was Irankunda’s breakout campaign with Adelaide United, but it was not without its challenges. He faced disciplinary issues, receiving a one-month suspension for being late to team meetings and neglecting his responsibilities as a young player. Irankunda also found himself involved in a brawl during a match against Western Sydney Wanderers.
Despite these setbacks, Irankunda ended the season with five goals and two assists in 22 games. However, during the pre-season for the 2023-24 season, he experienced a medical episode after hitting his head in a game. He swallowed his tongue and collapsed, requiring immediate attention. He returned to senior action on October 20 after recovering from the incident.
The move to Bayern Munich has been long speculated, with rumors circulating during the previous summer transfer window. The signing has now been confirmed, and Bayern’s director of youth development, Jochen Sauer, expressed delight in securing Irankunda’s services for next summer.
