Socceroo on brink of record deal as final roadblock cleared; veteran makes shock move — Whispers

Two Australian stars are set for major moves, with one joining a European heavyweight and another leaving Germany for a fresh challenge in Japan.

All that and more in the latest edition of Transfer Whispers.

SOCCEROOS STAR SET TO COMPLETE BIG-MONEY MOVE TO PORTUGUESE GIANTS

Nestory Irankunda is on the verge of becoming the latest Australian to join one of Europe’s biggest clubs after Sporting CP reached an agreement with Watford for the Socceroos winger.

According to 10 Sport, Sporting CP have now agreed a deal to sign Irankunda, with the Portuguese giants finally receiving the green light after the last major obstacle in negotiations was resolved.

Transfer expert Rudy Galetti reports Watford and Bayern Munich have reached an agreement over the payment structure surrounding the German club’s 40 per cent sell-on clause, clearing the way for the transfer to proceed.

With that hurdle overcome, only paperwork and final formalities remain before the deal is officially completed.

The transfer is understood to be worth around A$24 million plus performance-related add-ons, with 10 Sport reporting the package could eventually rise to A$30 million.

Irankunda is now expected to travel to Portugal immediately, where he could arrive in Lisbon as early as Friday to undergo a medical before putting pen to paper.

The move represents another major step in the 20-year-old’s rapidly rising career after leaving Adelaide United for Bayern Munich before earning a move to Watford in search of regular first-team football.

After an impressive debut campaign in England, the explosive winger has now attracted the attention of Portuguese powerhouse Sporting CP, one of Europe’s most consistent talent developers and regular UEFA Champions League participants.

The deal also represents a significant financial return for Bayern Munich, who are set to receive approximately 40 per cent of the transfer fee through the sell-on clause negotiated when the Australian departed Germany.

An official announcement is now expected once the remaining paperwork is signed and Irankunda successfully completes his medical.

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SOCCEROOS STAR BEGINS NEW CHAPTER WITH J-LEAGUE GIANTS

Socceroos star Jackson Irvine has officially embarked on a new chapter in his career after joining Japanese club Cerezo Osaka, bringing an end to his five-year spell with German side St. Pauli.

The 33-year-old will complete the move once his work visa is finalised, with Cerezo Osaka confirming the transfer on Wednesday.

While the J-League club did not disclose the length or financial details of the deal, Irvine said he was eager to embrace a new challenge in one of Asia’s strongest competitions.

“I’m incredibly excited to be coming to the hottest football nation in the world and joining a new league and a club with huge potential,” Irvine said.

“I hope I can use my experience and quality to help the team become even better. I’m also looking forward to experiencing a new culture and a new way of life. Let’s achieve success together!”

The move will see Irvine play club football outside Europe for the first time in his senior career after more than a decade across Scotland, England and Germany, including a memorable five-year stint with St. Pauli, where he became one of the club’s most influential players.

It also adds another Australian to the growing contingent in Japan, with Irvine joining fellow Socceroos Mitch Duke, Tete Yengi, Jason Geria, Thomas Deng and Eli Adams in the J.League.

Despite previously insisting he intended to remain at St. Pauli after the club’s relegation from the Bundesliga, Irvine ultimately had a change of heart.

St. Pauli sporting director Andreas Bornemann revealed the Australian approached the club following the FIFA World Cup and requested that a move to Japan be made possible.

“When he came back from the World Cup, Jackson approached us with the request to make a move to Japan possible,” Bornemann said.

“We’d like to thank Jacko for his commitment over the last few years and wish him and his family all the best for the future.”