Latest news with #GianLucaNani
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nestory Irankunda "could cry" as he is handed shirt number 66 for Watford
Nestory Irankunda reacted emotionally to being told he would be wearing the shirt number 66 for Watford. The Australia winger wore the number during his career breakthrough at Adelaide United and again on loan at Grasshopper Zurich last season – but, it appears, had not expected to be allowed to have it in the Championship. More: Watford reveal green away kit for 2025/26 Championship season A clip published on Watford social channels showed Irankunda – who completed a permanent move from Bayern Munich on Friday – receiving the news that the EFL had approved his choice, with a kit made for his unveiling to prove it. Irankunda said: "You're lying! "I could cry right now. It doesn't feel real, I thought they weren't going to approve. I can't wait. That's unreal." The Hornets believe Irankunda "can be a very special player", according to Sporting Director Gian Luca Nani, and is "exactly the sort of profile Paulo [Pezzolano] wanted in a winger." More: Watford should push to ensure Ashley Young celebrates at the Rookery End again He joins Kwadwo Baah, Rocco Vata and Othmane Maamma in Pezzolano's wide forward ranks. The 19-year-old signed for Bayern Munich last summer and spent six months there before a loan spell in Switzerland. Now he is a permanent Watford player – with a familiar number on his back.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Socceroos star Nestory Irankunda signs five-year deal with Watford in move to Championship
English soccer fans can brace themselves for plenty of dazzling backflips after the young Socceroos star Nestory Irankunda secured a five-year deal with the Championship outfit Watford. The Hornets announced the signing on their website late Friday, with the club's sporting director Gian Luca Nani taking great pride in welcoming Irankunda. 'Nestory was extremely sought after and thanks to our established scouting network and connections we were able to be ahead of others in the race to sign players of this potential,' Nani said. 'Crucially, we were able to move quickly when opportunities like this arise and that's been the hallmark of our successful recruitment.' The news is sure to delight Socceroos coach Tony Popovic, with next year's World Cup in mind. Irankunda is an unquestionable talent but struggled to get game time at Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. Popovic spoke of wanting to see the 19-year-old playing consistently and developing more, and at Vicarage Road he is set to get that chance. 'Nestory can be a very special player and we believe he can realise his potential here,' Nani said. 'He is exactly the sort of profile Paulo (coach Paulo Pezzolano) wanted in a winger. 'The player wanted to come here as he sees the pathway, he has seen how we develop young players at Watford and the vision we have for this club. 'We are absolutely delighted to have signed Nestory and he's added further to the huge feelgood factor around the training ground. 'We're thrilled to have you with us, Nestory!' Named as one of 'top 50 wonderkids' in March last year, Irankunda was an unused substitute twice for Bayern – including in a UEFA Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk in December. Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion The youngster, known for his exuberant backflips when celebrating a goal, made 15 appearances for the German side's second string and scored four goals before being handed the chance of top-flight football with a loan spell at Grasshopper Club Zurich. He played 19 times for the Swiss Super League side, scoring once. Irankunda first burst on to the scene at Adelaide United during the 2021/22 season, making his debut and scoring his first goal directly from a free-kick when he was just 15. He made 61 appearances for the club over three seasons, scoring 16 goals and jointly winning the A-League's Young Player of the Year award at the end of 2023/24. Irankunda has five Socceroos caps and scored his maiden international goal in the World Cup qualifier against Palestine in June last year under then coach Graham Arnold.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Watford sign Udinese's Semedo on five-year deal
Vivaldo Semedo has made four appearances for Portugal Under-20s [Getty Images] Watford have signed Portuguese forward Vivaldo Semedo on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee from Serie A side Udinese. The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Portuguese second division side Vizela, where he scored nine times in 25 appearances. Advertisement "Vivaldo is exactly the kind of player profile we want and need at Watford," sporting director Gian Luca Nani told the club website. "He will learn under [head coach] Paulo [Pezzolano] and we know he will adapt quickly to English football because we have already seen the development over a short period of time." Semedo has represented all of Portugal's international youth sides between under-17 and under-20 levels. He becomes the Hornets' fifth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Hector Kyprianou, Nathan Baxter, Marc Bola and Semedo's former Udinese team-mate James Abankwah.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Watford sign Udinese's Semedo on five-year deal
Watford have signed Portuguese forward Vivaldo Semedo on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee from Serie A side 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Portuguese second division side Vizela, where he scored nine times in 25 appearances."Vivaldo is exactly the kind of player profile we want and need at Watford," sporting director Gian Luca Nani told the club website. , external"He will learn under [head coach] Paulo [Pezzolano] and we know he will adapt quickly to English football because we have already seen the development over a short period of time."Semedo has represented all of Portugal's international youth sides between under-17 and under-20 becomes the Hornets' fifth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Hector Kyprianou, Nathan Baxter, Marc Bola and Semedo's former Udinese team-mate James Abankwah.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hornets confirm signing of striker Semedo
Vivaldo Semedo has become Watford's fifth confirmed addition this summer (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC) Watford have confirmed the signing of Vivaldo Semedo and believe he will develop into a 'top-class striker' but will 'definitely play a role" this season. As the Watford Observer previously reported, the 20-year-old has signed a five-year contract after making the permanent move from Udinese. Advertisement Vivaldo Semedo has become Watford's fifth confirmed addition this summer (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC) 'Vivaldo is exactly the kind of player profile we want and need at Watford,' said sporting director Gian Luca Nani. 'He is only 20 and we are sure he will develop into a top-class striker because his pace and strength already mark him out as a great prospect. 'He will learn under Paulo [Pezzolano] and we know he will adapt quickly to English football because we have already seen the development over a short period of time. 'We think he is the future but he will also definitely play a role this season in the Championship.' Advertisement Semedo becomes the Hornets' fifth signing this summer after Hector Kyrprianou, Nathan Baxter and Marc Bola moved to Vicarage Road and James Abankwah returned on a season-long loan, but he will not be the last. Confirmation of Caleb Wiley's return on loan from Chelsea is expected shortly, winger Pape Diallo is close to completing a move from Metz and Watford are also in the market for more attacking options. The striker is getting used to his new surroundings at London Colney (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC) Born in Angola, Semedo moved to Udinese on a three-year deal in 2022, having joined Sporting Lisbon's Academy in 2018. Advertisement The 6ft 4in forward made his debut for the fellow Pozzo-owned club against Hellas Verona in January 2023, moving to Dutch club Volendam on loan 12 months later where he made 13 appearances in the Eredivisie, scoring once. He joined Liga Portugal 2 club Vizela on loan in September last year, firmly establishing himself in the starting XI at the start of this year, scoring nine goals in a run of 18 games to help his side reach the play-offs where the lost 5-2 on aggregate to Avs FS. Overall, the forward, who has been capped at every international age group from Under-17 to Under-20, made 29 appearances last season.
