Nestory Irankunda is his name. He's 17 years old, born in Kigoma, Tanzania, but grew up in Australia. Recruited by Bayern Munich for a record fee, the winger who wears the Socceroos' colors has been compared to Sadio Mané, the Senegalese star who played for the German club.
Nestory Irankunda signs for Bayern Munich
At the age of 17, Sadio Mané was still roaming the streets of Sédhiou, where his dribbling skills amazed young and old alike. It wasn't long before he joined the Génération Foot academy, which proved to be a real springboard for him. At 17, Nestory Irankunda has already left his native Kigoma. He is no longer Tanzanian, but Australian. His talent is already being showcased professionally in his host country, Australia. The prodigy has played 35 games in the A-League Men's Division, scoring 9 goals and providing 4 assists. His performances convinced Bayern Munich to pay a record transfer fee of 3.4 million euros to his club Adelaide United.
"He has the same size and speed as Sadio Mané".
Nestory Irankunda will go to Munich next season when he turns 18. Those who have seen him play with Australia's U17s or in the league compare him to Sadio Mané, the Senegalese magician who splashed his talent across the English Premier League in a Liverpool shirt."The player I've always compared him to is Sadio Mané. He has the same height, the same speed, the same power, and both have an excellent shot. Both also like to attack defenders and are brilliant in transitions and wide open spaces. But Mané's technique is obviously more elaborate," says a scout interviewed by the transfermarkt website.
"Nestory Irankunda is a highlights machine"
"Since his debut, Nestory Irankunda has been a highlights machine.In his own words, he only scores jewels, and that's absolutely true. Ever since he scored that magical free-kick at the age of 15, Nestory has gone from strength to strength. Adelaide, under the guidance of coach Carl Veart, have wrapped him in absorbent cotton because of the buzz he's generated. Despite calls to include him in the starting eleven, the club didn't rush into it, and it worked out wonderfully," adds Australian journalist Sacha Pisani, also for transfemrarkt.
Bayern Munich, who had their eye on Sadio Mané when he was emerging at RB Salzburg in Austria, are delighted to have been able to get their hands on youngster Nestory Irankunda. "We've had Nestory on our radar for some time, and we're delighted to have reached an agreement with him and Adelaide United for a transfer to Munich next summer," informs Jochen Sauer, Bayern's Director of Youth Development.
