A long list of youth graduates
Germany’s Bundesliga has a long honour roll of young players who have used the league as a springboard to superstardom.
Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham decided to leave his hometown club Birmingham City at 17 for Borussia Dortmund,rather than signing for Manchester United. His reason? The ability to play first-team football.
Bellingham’s decision was vindicated,making 92 appearances in Germany in three seasons,before earning his dream move to Real Madrid. He’s now viewed as one of the premier midfielders in the world.
At Bayern Munich,Irankunda can look at the example of German international Jamal Musiala who,at 20,has become one of Europe’s finest talents.
Investment in youth football
After the German national team’s disastrous performance at the 2000 European Championships,when they finished bottom of their group,an overhaul of the country’s youth football strategy was mandated.
Professional clubs in Germany now must run efficient and effective youth academies,which must meet set criteria for the club to compete each year.
Bayern Munich have a state-of-the-art youth facility that houses a 2500-seat stadium and eight football pitches spread over 30 hectares.
The club invests millions of dollars in their youth facilities every year and Irankunda will benefit from world-class coaching and talented teammates who will help drive his game.
The ability to grow on and off the field
Irankunda’s decision to move to a non-speaking English country is a brave one,but ultimately it will help his growth as a footballer.
The winger will arrive in Munich and see a city that moves to the rhythms of its primary football club,where the expectation is not only they win the league,but win it in style.
He will be in a largely alien environment far from family and friends in Adelaide. The culture he is used to on and off the field will be different,and he will be under pressure to adapt.
Bosnich believes that Irankunda’s decision to throw himself into a new culture can only help him develop as a footballer.
“Germany is a wonderful,wonderful country,” Bosnich said.
“They’ve got their own culture,and it will be incumbent upon him to learn their language because you’re going into somebody else’s house,so to speak.
“I know it’s more difficult,but I actually think that’s a good thing too[for him as a player].”
An elite stage to showcase his talent
Bayern Munich have won the last 11 Bundesliga titles and last won Europe’s Champions League in 2020.
The pressure to perform at the club is exacting and relentless,but if Irankunda can fight his way into first-team contention and perform,there are no limits to where his talent can take him.
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The explosive winger has rightfully gained plaudits in Australia for his performances,but in Munich,he will again have everything to prove.
Speaking Channel 10’s The Project,Irankunda was asked had his transfer sunk in yet.
“Yeah,not really actually,” Irankunda said.