Nestory Irankunda will be playing in the UEFA Champions League this season, after the Socceroos star’s move from Watford to Sporting CP was confirmed on Saturday.
The deal taking him to Portugal is reportedly worth an initial €15 million, with add-ons included that could increase its overall value to just over €18 million. Bayern Munich are said to be receiving 40% of that package due to sell-on fees inserted in his move from Bavaria to Vicarage Road in 2025.
Australian clubs Adelaide United and Adelaide Croatia, where Irankunda developed before heading overseas, will also see a windfall from the sale thanks to a combination of sell-on fees from his move to Bayern and FIFA’s training compensation program.
Irankunda, 20, became the youngest Australian to score at a men’s World Cup when he netted for the Socceroos in their 2-0 win over Türkiye in North America in June, following a first season in England in which he netted nine goals in the Championship following his permanent move from Bayern to Watford.
He will join the likes of Greek striker Fotis Ioannidis, Colombian attacker Luis Suárez, Mozambican winger Geny Catamo and Portugal international Pedro Gonçalves in Sporting’s attack, albeit Catamo might soon depart amidst strong reported interest from Sunderland, as well as Brentford, Aston Villa and Everton.
The club with which Cristiano Ronaldo made his professional debut back in 2002, Sporting’s ability to develop and secure lucrative fees for players has seen them develop a reputation as one of the premier talent-factories in the sport. In recent years, Os Leões have sold Geovany Quenda to Chelsea and Viktor Gyökeres to Arsenal, and they have also sent Bruno Fernandes to Manchester United and Manuel Ugarte to Paris Saint-Germain.
After finishing second in the Primeira Liga in 2025-26, Rui Borges’ side will enter this season’s Champions League competition in the league phase, seeking to repeat or better their exploits from last campaign, in which they reached the quarterfinals before being knocked out by eventual finalists Arsenal.
Sporting drew 2-2 with Estrela da Amadora on the opening day of the Portuguese season on Saturday, with Catamo and Gonçalves starting on the wings.
Irankunda could next be back in action for Australia next month when the Socceroos host Brazil in two friendlies set for Townsville and Brisbane.
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