Rising Australian soccer star Nestory Irankunda has officially signed a five-year contract with English Championship club Watford, setting the stage for a new chapter in his promising career.
The move was confirmed by Watford on Friday through an announcement on their website. The club’s sporting director Gian Luca Nani expressed excitement about securing the 19-year-old winger, who has long been seen as one of Australia’s brightest talents.
Nani credited the club’s strong scouting system for beating out heavy competition to sign Irankunda. He emphasized that the club acted swiftly once the opportunity became available.
Irankunda has struggled for consistent first-team minutes at Bayern Munich, where he made a handful of appearances for the second team and was twice named as an unused substitute in senior matches, including a UEFA Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk.
The young winger also had a loan spell at Grasshopper Club Zurich in Switzerland. He featured in 19 games and scored one goal during his time there. However, he is now expected to get more regular playtime at Watford, something crucial to his development and to Australia’s World Cup ambitions.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic, who is preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, will likely be pleased with Irankunda’s move. The forward’s need for regular game time was a concern, and Watford could offer the perfect environment for his progress.
Nani explained that Irankunda fits well with what Watford’s coach Paulo Pezzolano is seeking in a wide player. He also mentioned that Irankunda chose Watford because of the club’s reputation for developing young talent.
“Players like Nestory are rare,” said Nani. “He brings energy, skill, and great potential. He chose us because he sees a clear path forward. He knows how we support young talent and the direction we’re going.”
Irankunda has already made a name for himself in Australian football. He first rose to fame as a 15-year-old during the 2021/22 season with Adelaide United, where he scored from a free kick in his debut. Over three seasons, he played 61 games for Adelaide and scored 16 goals. His strong performance earned him a share of the A-League Young Player of the Year award at the end of the 2023/24 season.
In March last year, he was included in goal.com’s list of the “top 50 wonderkids” in world football. Known for his acrobatic backflip celebrations, Irankunda has quickly become a fan favorite.
On the international stage, he has earned five caps for the Socceroos and scored his first goal for Australia in a World Cup qualifier against Palestine in June last year.
With this move to Watford, Irankunda joins a competitive English side aiming for promotion to the Premier League. The club believes his arrival will boost morale both on and off the pitch.
His signing comes as Watford continues to rebuild under Pezzolano’s leadership. Irankunda’s energy, pace, and flair are expected to add depth and excitement to the squad, especially in wide attacking positions.
The young winger’s journey from Australia’s A-League to Europe’s top leagues reflects his determination and raw talent. Now at Watford, he will have the platform to grow, develop his game, and perhaps become one of the standout stars in the Championship.
As he prepares to don the Watford jersey, fans and coaches alike will be watching closely to see how this next phase unfolds for the gifted winger.
