Nestory Irankunda flying up and down the wing with the number 66 on his back: it’s a sight Adelaide United fans will never forget.
Now, as the teenage Subway Socceroo prepares for his first taste of English football, he’ll hope to provide the fans of Championship side Watford FC similarly priceless memories as he dons the unique kit number once again for the first time since his departure from the Isuzu UTE A-League.
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Irankunda, 19, signed a five-year deal at Watford on July 19, making a permanent move from Bayern Munich after one year at the German giants.
On moving day, Watford’s media team captured the special moment Irankunda was handed a Watford kit with his name, and the number 66, adorned on the back.
In his first interview as a Watford player, Irankunda provided context to his emotional reaction as he explained why the number meant so much to him.
“It’s the number I started with when I played professionally,” Irankunda told club media.
“It gives me energy – the number means a lot and I want to make it my number. It reminds me of where I started.”
Irankunda’s permanent move to Watford signalled the end of his German adventure at Bayern, just one year on from his departure from Adelaide United and the Isuzu UTE A-League.
The Subway Socceroos forward spent three seasons at the Reds before joining Bayern on a long-term deal; in January, he was loaned to Grasshopper Club Zurich in Switzerland, where he made 21 league appearances (17 starts). Irankunda scored one goal and notched three assists for the Swiss Super League side.
“I think you have to be mentally strong and I have been throughout the years of playing at such a young age,” Irankunda explained.
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“It was not easy (to move to Europe) as I don’t have family here.
“It’s a daily routine to speak to the family because it becomes lonely at times, so it’s good to keep in touch.
“I’m here for a reason and I’m going to prove my point.”
When asked what attracted him to join the Championship side, Irankunda spoke of his desire to replicate the respective success of fellow forwards Troy Deeney and Joao Pedro at the club.
Irankunda was only seven years old when Deeney, a Watford legend, scored one of the most iconic goals in Championship history; level with Leicester in the second leg of a 2013 Championship playoff semi-final tie, Watford were on the brink of elimination from the playoffs when Leicester forward Anthony Knockaert won a penalty for the Foxes.
Knockaert stepped up to take the spot kick but Manuel Almunia saved the attempt – as well as the rebound. Watford quickly set off on a counterattack, and as the Hornets fans at Vicarage Road continued to celebrate the Almunia save that kept them in the playoff tie, Deeney then etched the moment into football folklore, scoring down the other end to eliminate Leicester and send Watford to the playoff final.
“It (the play-off semi-final goal against Leicester) was ‘the’ moment. Even if you weren’t there, it’s history!” Irankunda told the club website.
“I’ve seen it a few times on YouTube. The atmosphere at the stadium that day – it’s a crowd I want to play in front of.”
“To have Troy Deeney and João Pedro play here – I want to be like them.”
