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Adelaide United prodigy Nestory Irankunda has been sold to German giants Bayern Munich for an A-League record transfer fee.
The 17-year-old says his long-touted move to the German powerhouse is a “dream come true”.
The Reds winger will transfer to Bayern Munich in July next year, four months after turning 18 − the minimum age for a global transfer under FIFA rules.
Adelaide have not disclosed the transfer fee for the Tanzanian-born teen.
That sum almost doubles the $2.9 million Scottish powerhouse Celtic paid for Melbourne City’s Marco Tilio in June this year.
Irankunda’s move to Bayern had been long-expected and was confirmed on Tuesday night.
Gun youngster Nestory Irankunda.Credit: Roy VanDerVegt
“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 statement.
“It’s going to be great to be able to see out the season with Adelaide United and try and have some success.
“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.”
Adelaide United’s chief executive Nathan Kosmina hoped announcing the deal now would allow Irankunda to play out his career in Australia with minimal distractions.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Nestory and his family for him to go to one of the biggest clubs in the world,” Kosmina 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.”
Irankunda has scored nine goals in his 38 A-League games since making his debut in 2021-22.
“Nestory is an extremely quick winger, a strong dribbler and finisher with good drive towards goal. We’re convinced by his potential and that he will take the next steps with us,” Bayern’s director of youth development Jochen Sauer said in a statement.
AAP
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