27 days ago
Bayern Munich's connection to Red&Gold Football, as co-founders alongside Los Angelese FC, has seen the club expand its' youth movement. Players from Red&Gold Football partner clubs train and trial in Munich, with Bara Sapoko Ndiaye one of many to trial and the first to succeed in earning a move to Bayern, while acquired players move between these clubs, such as when Armindo Sieb left for LAFC.
One of the benefits most apparent to the average fan Bayern enjoyed was the ability to loan players out to Grasshopper Zürich. The Swiss Super League team was never part Red&Gold Football, but LAFC were majority stakeholders at the club and that connection allowed Bayern to send loan players to Switzerland to get their feet wet in professional football. Grayson Dettoni, Nestory Irankunda, Jonathan Asp Jensen and Lovro Zvonarek all had stints in Zürich.
But that will no longer happen. As of the end of June 2026, LAFC sold their majority stake in Grasshopper Zürich. As reported by Tzmuenchen (and captured by iMiaSanMia) this ends their status as potential loan destination for Bayern talents:
Bayern's Red&Gold Football partner LAFC sold their majority stake in Grasshopper Club Zürich at the end of June, therefore the Swiss club is no longer a partner club and no longer a potential loan destination for Bayern youth talents. LAFC will focus exclusively on the existing partnership with Austrian second division club FC Wacker Innsbruck, and are also exploring the European market for a potential investment in a new club. FC Bayern could then potentially benefit from such an investment.
This is good and bad. No club should have to accept loan players if it is in another club's best interest. These are the worst aspects of such multi-club groups. Unfortunately, Grasshopper Zürich landed right in the hands of another multi-club ownership group, Bridge Football Group.
#club #Football
One of the benefits most apparent to the average fan Bayern enjoyed was the ability to loan players out to Grasshopper Zürich. The Swiss Super League team was never part Red&Gold Football, but LAFC were majority stakeholders at the club and that connection allowed Bayern to send loan players to Switzerland to get their feet wet in professional football. Grayson Dettoni, Nestory Irankunda, Jonathan Asp Jensen and Lovro Zvonarek all had stints in Zürich.
But that will no longer happen. As of the end of June 2026, LAFC sold their majority stake in Grasshopper Zürich. As reported by Tzmuenchen (and captured by iMiaSanMia) this ends their status as potential loan destination for Bayern talents:
Bayern's Red&Gold Football partner LAFC sold their majority stake in Grasshopper Club Zürich at the end of June, therefore the Swiss club is no longer a partner club and no longer a potential loan destination for Bayern youth talents. LAFC will focus exclusively on the existing partnership with Austrian second division club FC Wacker Innsbruck, and are also exploring the European market for a potential investment in a new club. FC Bayern could then potentially benefit from such an investment.
This is good and bad. No club should have to accept loan players if it is in another club's best interest. These are the worst aspects of such multi-club groups. Unfortunately, Grasshopper Zürich landed right in the hands of another multi-club ownership group, Bridge Football Group.
#club #Football
1 month ago
Sporting got creative on Saturday (15) to unveil their new signing for the season.
The Portuguese club used a Michael Jackson song to make the arrival of Australian player Nestory Irankunda official.
The 20-year-old was at Watford and played in this year's World Cup, scoring one goal in the tournament.
Sporting confirmed the arrival of the forward with a video inspired by the hit song 'Bad'.
Irankunda himself showed confidence by trying out some dance moves immortalized by the King of Pop.
#arrival #saturday
The Portuguese club used a Michael Jackson song to make the arrival of Australian player Nestory Irankunda official.
The 20-year-old was at Watford and played in this year's World Cup, scoring one goal in the tournament.
Sporting confirmed the arrival of the forward with a video inspired by the hit song 'Bad'.
Irankunda himself showed confidence by trying out some dance moves immortalized by the King of Pop.
#arrival #saturday
2 months ago
Watford sporting director Luke Dowling says the club are in "regular" talks with Manchester City over re-signing defender Stephen Mfuni on loan and hinted striker Nestory Irankunda could leave the club this month.
Mfuni, who spent the second half of last season on loan with the Hornets, has featured for City on their pre-season tour of Asia.
He played 45 minutes in City's 1-1 draw with Inter Milan before being replaced at half-time by fellow former Watford loanee Max Alleyne - as well as the whole second half of City's 3-1 win against a K-League XI in Seoul on Wednesday.
"Everyone who watched Watford play last year in the games when Mfuni, especially, played, it wouldn't surprise me with Man City losing Nathan Ake this year, if they kept him around," Dowling told BBC Three Counties Radio.
"He's left-footed like Ake, he can play left-back, he can play left centre-half, so that wouldn't surprise me at all.
#mfuni
Mfuni, who spent the second half of last season on loan with the Hornets, has featured for City on their pre-season tour of Asia.
He played 45 minutes in City's 1-1 draw with Inter Milan before being replaced at half-time by fellow former Watford loanee Max Alleyne - as well as the whole second half of City's 3-1 win against a K-League XI in Seoul on Wednesday.
"Everyone who watched Watford play last year in the games when Mfuni, especially, played, it wouldn't surprise me with Man City losing Nathan Ake this year, if they kept him around," Dowling told BBC Three Counties Radio.
"He's left-footed like Ake, he can play left-back, he can play left centre-half, so that wouldn't surprise me at all.
#mfuni
2 months ago
Bayern Munich employed Nestory Irankunda, who is a highly gifted player blessed with explosive pace and clinical finishing. He has since moved on to Watford at the start of last year and his stock has risen considerably following his displays at the recently concluded 2026 World Cup. Naturally, clubs started taking notes and submitting bids, but Watford so far has ruled out any incoming offers (even Bayern doesn't have first dibs anymore):
Watford have rejected two bids of around £10m (€11.7) from Sporting CP and Celta Vigo for Nestory Irankunda. Both offers are well short of the English club's valuation. Bayern's sell-on clause has been reduced from 50% to 40%. After a renegotiation between the clubs, Watford bought back 10%. In addition, Bayern's buy-back clause has expired.
– Sky Sports' Anthony Joseph as captured by X account iMiaSanMia
Then again, Bayern making a move for Irankunda now is probably unlikely at this point due to the club needing to move on other players first before signing anyone else. If the former Adelaide United winger is eventually sold, Bayern could still get a handsome fee from him.
#nestory #clubs #offers #back
Watford have rejected two bids of around £10m (€11.7) from Sporting CP and Celta Vigo for Nestory Irankunda. Both offers are well short of the English club's valuation. Bayern's sell-on clause has been reduced from 50% to 40%. After a renegotiation between the clubs, Watford bought back 10%. In addition, Bayern's buy-back clause has expired.
– Sky Sports' Anthony Joseph as captured by X account iMiaSanMia
Then again, Bayern making a move for Irankunda now is probably unlikely at this point due to the club needing to move on other players first before signing anyone else. If the former Adelaide United winger is eventually sold, Bayern could still get a handsome fee from him.
#nestory #clubs #offers #back
2 months ago
Watford have rejected two bids of £10m for Australian forward Nestory Irankunda from Portuguese side Sporting and Spanish club Celta Vigo. The Hornets have also bought back 10% of the 20-year-old's sell-on clause from Bayern Munich. (Sky Sports)
For more transfer news and rumours, read Thursday's full gossip column here.
#Watford #australian #irankunda #hornets
For more transfer news and rumours, read Thursday's full gossip column here.
#Watford #australian #irankunda #hornets
3 months ago
Where to start in a summer of upheaval at Watford Football Club?
Alessio Dionisi has replaced Ed Still as head coach - becoming the 24th boss since the Pozzo family took control in 2012 - and the Italian has brought new backroom staff in with him.
The under-21 team is no more and changes are being made to the recruitment staff and strategy at Vicarage Road.
Attacker Giorgi Chakvetadze has left for sister club Udinese and rumours are swirling about the future of key players Nestory Irankunda, Imran Louza and Othmane Maamma.
With all these changes in mind Hornets fans, what are you making of another turbulent summer?
Alessio Dionisi has replaced Ed Still as head coach - becoming the 24th boss since the Pozzo family took control in 2012 - and the Italian has brought new backroom staff in with him.
The under-21 team is no more and changes are being made to the recruitment staff and strategy at Vicarage Road.
Attacker Giorgi Chakvetadze has left for sister club Udinese and rumours are swirling about the future of key players Nestory Irankunda, Imran Louza and Othmane Maamma.
With all these changes in mind Hornets fans, what are you making of another turbulent summer?
3 months ago
How to Watch USA vs. Australia: Channel, Live Stream & Start Time for World Cup Match originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Team USA will look to continue building momentum when the Americans face Australia in a Group D battle on Friday.
In the opening match, Team USA made a strong statement with a 4-1 win against Paraguay. Folarin Balogun led the way with two goals.
The Australians also enjoyed a win in their World Cup opener, defeating Turkey, 2-0. Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe scored for Australia, and Patrick Beach made eight saves.
Here is everything you need to know about Team USA vs. Australia, including TV and streaming options for the World Cup match.
Team USA will look to continue building momentum when the Americans face Australia in a Group D battle on Friday.
In the opening match, Team USA made a strong statement with a 4-1 win against Paraguay. Folarin Balogun led the way with two goals.
The Australians also enjoyed a win in their World Cup opener, defeating Turkey, 2-0. Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe scored for Australia, and Patrick Beach made eight saves.
Here is everything you need to know about Team USA vs. Australia, including TV and streaming options for the World Cup match.
3 months ago
Australia stunned Turkey 2-0 in their World Cup opener at Vancouver Stadium, with New York City FC midfielder Aiden O'Neill starting and playing the full 90 minutes for the Socceroos. Turkey were largely perceived as the favorite, with Real Madrid's Arda Güler and Inter Milan's Hakan Çalhanoğlu among their top players.
O'Neill's work rate, passing accuracy, and defensive contributions helped neutralize Turkey's creative threats while providing the platform for Australia's attacking players to flourish. The box-to-box midfielder joined NYCFC in April 2025 from Belgian side Standard Liège and has tallied seven ****** ists in 31 regular-season matches.
Australia scored on either side of halftime to begin their World Cup journey on the front foot, with goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe. O'Neill's midfield presence allowed the Socceroos to control tempo against a Turkey side expected to dominate possession through their Serie A stars.
With his complete performance, O'Neill became the third active MLS player to play for Australia in the World Cup, following former Red Bull New York midfielder Tim Cahill (2014) and former Columbus Crew defender Miloš Degenek (2022). O'Neill is one of three MLS players on Australia's World Cup squad, alongside NYCFC teammate Kai Trewin and Colorado Rapids defender Lucas Herrington.
O'Neill has made 39 appearances across all competitions for NYCFC, helping New York City reach the MLS Eastern Conference Final last season. His transition from European football to MLS has provided him the platform to maintain his international form.
O'Neill's work rate, passing accuracy, and defensive contributions helped neutralize Turkey's creative threats while providing the platform for Australia's attacking players to flourish. The box-to-box midfielder joined NYCFC in April 2025 from Belgian side Standard Liège and has tallied seven ****** ists in 31 regular-season matches.
Australia scored on either side of halftime to begin their World Cup journey on the front foot, with goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe. O'Neill's midfield presence allowed the Socceroos to control tempo against a Turkey side expected to dominate possession through their Serie A stars.
With his complete performance, O'Neill became the third active MLS player to play for Australia in the World Cup, following former Red Bull New York midfielder Tim Cahill (2014) and former Columbus Crew defender Miloš Degenek (2022). O'Neill is one of three MLS players on Australia's World Cup squad, alongside NYCFC teammate Kai Trewin and Colorado Rapids defender Lucas Herrington.
O'Neill has made 39 appearances across all competitions for NYCFC, helping New York City reach the MLS Eastern Conference Final last season. His transition from European football to MLS has provided him the platform to maintain his international form.
3 months ago
Scoring a goal at the World Cup finals for Australia is "a dream come true" for Watford forward Nestory Irankunda.
The 20-year-old opened the scoring with a 27th-minute strike in The Socceroos 2-0 win over Turkey in Vancouver on Sunday.
Irankunda is the youngest player to score for Australia at the World Cup at 20 years and 125 days, beating the previous record set by Brett Holman at the 2010 tournament.
"It is unreal. A dream come true," said Irankunda after Sunday's Group D victory.
"It feels amazing (to be the youngest scorer). You've got to thank the staff, you've got to thank the nation. They all believe in me to do so well and, getting that goal was amazing. It is just a great feeling."
The 20-year-old opened the scoring with a 27th-minute strike in The Socceroos 2-0 win over Turkey in Vancouver on Sunday.
Irankunda is the youngest player to score for Australia at the World Cup at 20 years and 125 days, beating the previous record set by Brett Holman at the 2010 tournament.
"It is unreal. A dream come true," said Irankunda after Sunday's Group D victory.
"It feels amazing (to be the youngest scorer). You've got to thank the staff, you've got to thank the nation. They all believe in me to do so well and, getting that goal was amazing. It is just a great feeling."
