Nestory Irankunda’s transfer to a Portuguese powerhouse is all but done; while a fellow Australian prodigy has completed the final step in his move to the Premier League.
Read on for the latest edition of Transfer Whispers.
IMAGE CONFIRMS STAR’S PORTUGAL MOVE
Nestory Irankunda has received his first taste of life in Portugal, with his transfer from EFL club Watford imminent.
Over the weekend, the 20-year old, who became a national hero after slotting the Socceroos’ first goal against Turkiye in the World Cup, had his move to Sporting CP confirmed after the Portuguese giant reached a £17 million ($32.5 million) agreement on a transfer fee.
Irankunda arrived in Lisbon on Wednesday ahead of a medical with his new club, the final box to be checked before the transfer is sealed.
He was mobbed by a media throng at the airport, giving a series of brief answers to a bombardment of questions by the local press.
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Irankunda said Sporting had a “good history”, when he was asked what he knew about the club; while he responded to a question about what kind of player he was with an equally brief answer.
“Very fast,” he smiled.
Among Sporting’s list of former greats is the iconic Cristiano Ronaldo, who began his storied football career at the club in 2002 before a transfer to Manchester United.
With the club regular features at UEFA Champions League level, having reached the quarter-finals of the 2025/26 edition, Irankunda’s move is set to allow him exposure to the world’s most high-profile, and strongest, club competition.
“Champions League football is vitally important for all Australian Socceroos to play at the highest level,” ex-Socceroos captain Craig Foster wrote on social media when Irankunda’s transfer was initially reported.
“The opportunity provided to the next gen to play in the World Cup has and will pay dividends for them all.”
Irankunda’s former club Bayern Munich will receive a £7 million cut of the transfer deal, thanks to a 40 per cent sell-on clause with Watford.
According to reports, the Australian’s deal was bumped up from £13 million by Watford management, with Sporting eventually agreeing to terms.
Record $30M bid for Socceroos star | 00:30
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HERRINGTON COMPLETES FINAL STEP IN PREMIER LEAGUE SWITCH
Socceroos prodigy Lucas Herrington has completed a successful medical at Hull FC, to all but confirm his Australian record transfer.
Expert Fabrizio Romano posted to X that the 18-year old’s move from Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids had ticked off its last box, with medical tests coming up, as expected, all green.
The move continues Herrington’s rapid rise, with the teenager beginning the year in the A-League with Brisbane Roar and emerging as a star with a strong performance for the Socceroos at the World Cup.
His defender’s move is for an Australian record $32.5 million.
All that is left is for Hull to officially announce the transfer, which is set to happen in coming days.
The transfer comes as Hull look to splash cash following their successful promotion to the Premier League for the 2025/26 season.
Herrington’s former A-League side the Roar’s decision to give up their rights to an agreed 20 per cent sell-on clause with the Rapids for Herrington has backfired, however.
Having sold out for $560,000, the clause would have earned them more than $7 million had they held out – a further financial blow for the stricken club.
Hull City’s Premier League return begins against Manchester United at home on Sautrday, August 22.