Teenage star Nestory Irankunda has secured a transfer from A-League Men outfit Adelaide United to European powerhouse Bayern Munich.
The youngster has set the Australian domestic competition alight with his impressive ball-striking ability and speed and has now smashed the all-time A-League transfer fee record.
MORE: Arnold names experimental Socceroos squad for World Cup qualifiers
Adelaide United star Nestory Irankunda signs for Bayern Munich
Irankunda has enjoyed a rapid rise since making his professional football debut for Adelaide United in 2022 as a 15-year-old.
The winger was born in Tanzania to Burundian parents, fleeing the country as a three-month-old with his family due to civil war.
He made a name for himself as a 'super sub' in Adelaide, scoring eight goals off the bench in his first two A-League Men campaigns.
Irankunda earned his first start for the club this season, scoring a stunning free-kick in a 6-0 rout of Melbourne City.
NESTORY IRANKUNDA IS ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL 🤯🚀
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) October 29, 2023
A world-class free-kick from the 17-year-old @AdelaideUnited star 🤩
Wow. Just wow.#ADLvMCY #ALM pic.twitter.com/qOJA9zPzUp
It was a different story the following week, however, sent off after receiving a second yellow card for dissent late in a game against Melbourne Victory.
His move to Germany will not take place until July due to FIFA regulations, since he is currently under 18 years of age.
The teenager was reportedly scouted by numerous major European clubs including AC Milan, Inter Milan and Liverpool.
Irankunda smashes A-League Men transfer record
It was originally reported that Bayern were set to pay a fee of AU$5.8m for Irankunda, but the final agreed payment is understood to be smaller.
Adelaide United have confirmed that the transfer was finalised for a club-record fee.
The existing A-League Men transfer record was held by winger Marco Tilio, who moved from Melbourne City to Celtic earlier this year in a deal worth just over AU$2.9m.
This is the moment Nestory Irankunda penned a life changing contract 🥹✍️
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) November 14, 2023
This Thursday, our A-Leagues All Access cameras take you closer than ever before to one of the most exciting transfers in Australian history.
A-Leagues #AllAccess: No Plan B tells the story of a meteoric… pic.twitter.com/V6oM7gVQai
Top five most expensive A-League Men transfers
(Per transfermarkt.com)
| Player | Season | From | To | Fee |
| Marco Tilio | 23/24 | Melbourne City | Celtic | AU$2.95m |
| Matthew Spiranovic | 15/16 | Western Sydney Wanderers | HZ Greentown | AU$2.34m |
| Rostyn Griffiths | 11/12 | Central Coast Mariners | GZ R&F | AU$2.28m |
| Jordan Bos | 23/24 | Melbourne City | KVC Westerlo | AU$2.19m |
| Liberato Cacace | 20/21 | Wellington Phoenix | Sint-Truiden | AU$2.02m |
Is Nestory Irankunda eligible to play for the Socceroos?
Yes, Irankunda is eligible to play for the Australian national team.
He has already represented the nation at under-17 level and was notably called up to the Socceroos squad as a training player in March this year.
The young gun was not included in Graham Arnold's latest squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
