Watford are closing in on the signing of exciting Australian winger Nestory Irankunda, with the Bayern Munich teenager expected to fly to England on Thursday afternoon to complete a medical ahead of a four-year deal.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the Championship side will pay €4 million for Irankunda, with Bayern Munich inserting a 50% sell-on clause and matching rights into the agreement. There’s also a buy-back clause in place, although the specific figure has not been disclosed.
🟡⚫️✈️ Nestory Irankunda will fly on Thursday afternoon to undergo medical at Watford.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 14, 2025
€3m, 50% sell-on clause and matching rights as part of the agreement between Watford and Bayern.
Irankunda will sign a four year deal. 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/7ooN9hLSTP
One of Australia’s Brightest Prospects
Irankunda, 19, burst onto the scene with Adelaide United in the A-League, making his professional debut at just 16. His pace, directness, and flair quickly earned him a reputation as one of Australia’s most promising young attackers.
Over three seasons in the A-League, he racked up:
- 61 appearances
- 16 goals
- 8 assists
Bayern Munich made their move in summer 2024, bringing the teenager to Europe. However, with limited first-team opportunities at the Allianz Arena, he was loaned to Grasshoppers in Switzerland for the second half of the 2024–25 season, where he made 21 appearances, scoring once and assisting three.
Game Time at Bayern Limited – Watford Step In
Unsurprisingly, Irankunda remains far down the pecking order at Bayern given the club's elite attacking options. With first-team minutes hard to come by, a move to England’s second tier offers him a clearer path to development and regular football.
Watford have moved decisively, with personal terms already agreed and a medical scheduled this week. Irankunda is set to sign a four-year contract at Vicarage Road.
What Irankunda Brings to Watford
With a new manager in Paulo Pezzolano replacing Tom Cleverley, Watford’s summer rebuild is in full swing. While some fans remain unsure about the new direction, the signing of Irankunda signals intent.
His style of play offers exactly what the Hornets have often lacked in recent seasons — raw pace, unpredictability, and the ability to beat defenders 1v1. He’s versatile too, able to play on either wing or as a central attacking option.
At just 19, he represents both a short-term weapon and a long-term investment — with Bayern clearly not ready to fully let go, given the clauses inserted into the deal.
Career Stats (via Transfermarkt)
| Team | Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide United | 61 | 16 | 8 |
| Grasshoppers (loan) | 21 | 1 | 3 |
| Australia (senior) | 5 | 1 | 1 |
Final Word
This is a statement signing for Watford — the kind of high-upside talent that could not only light up the Championship but also grow into a Premier League-calibre player. With a new era beginning under Pezzolano, Irankunda could be one of the breakout stars of the upcoming season.
