Nestory Irankunda joins Grasshoppers on loan from Bayern Munich

Socceroos teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda is on the move in the search for first-team football.

Socceroo Nestory Irankunda says his loan move to Swiss club Grasshoppers from German giants Bayern Munich is a “great opportunity” to further his career.

The former Adelaide United prodigy, who moved to Bayern in seven months ago, has been loaned to the Zurich-based Grasshoppers until the end of June.

“This is a great opportunity for me to continue my development in Switzerland’s highest league,” 18-year-old attacker Irankunda said.

“I am very happy to be at GC Zurich.”

Irankunda has made 15 appearances for Bayern’s reserves team, scoring four goals and providing four assists.

He also scored one goal in three appearances for Bayern’s under-19 team in the UEFA Youth League.

Nestory Irankunda is a Grasshopper 🔵⚪#gczürich#immerwiiterpic.twitter.com/DiV9L19FBv

— Grasshopper Club Zürich (@gc_zuerich) January 4, 2025

Bayern’s director of youth development Jochen Sauer was confident Irankunda would prosper at Grasshoppers, whose squad also includes another Socceroo, winger Awer Mabil.

“Nestory has integrated very well after his move from Australia to Europe, and has repeatedly shown his great talent with our reserves,” Sauer said.

“We’re convinced he’ll take the next sporting steps in the Swiss top tier at GC Zurich.

“We’ll continue to support him very closely on his journey.”

Grasshoppers sporting director Stephan Schwarz said Irankunda was a “young and exciting talent with dynamism and the ability to ignite the attack”.

Coached by German Thomas Oral since November, Grasshoppers are currently struggling in second last place on the Swiss Super League ladder.

Their next competitive match is on January 19 against Sion.

Originally published as Nestory Irankunda joins Grasshoppers on loan from Bayern Munich