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Five Australian footballers to look out for in 2025: Irankunda one to watch

The Australian football landscape continues to evolve with emerging talents ready to make their mark in the A-League and beyond in 2025.

Here are five players whose upward trajectory looks set to continue and capture the attention of the wider football world this year.

Nestory Irankunda (Bayern Munich II)

Bayern Munich were in a hurry to snap up teenage striker Irankunda ahead of clubs in England and Italy after he burst onto the domestic scene.

Irankunda had established himself as the A-League’s hottest prospect in years with a series of spectacular, last-gasp winning goals for Adelaide United.

Blessed with searing pace and a lethal right foot, the teenager is now learning his trade in Europe with Bayern’s Under-23 squad.

He has featured in 15 games for Bayern's reserves in the German Regionalliga, scoring four goals and has been named on the bench for the senior team in the German Cup and UEFA Champions League.

But the Tanzania-born talent could be set for another change of scene after recently confirming that he’s asked Bayern Munich to let him leave on loan to experience top-flight football in Europe.

That could be the kickstart his career needs right now with a potential switch to Belgium or the Netherlands likely to solve the problems he has encountered with the language barrier in Germany.

James Overy (Manchester United)

The former Perth Glory youth player began to attract Premier League attention after he starred in a friendly against West Ham, who were over for a pre-season tour.

His protracted transfer to Manchester United was finally confirmed in September, since when he has been training with the Under-18 side.

The Red Devils are biding their time with the 17-year-old, but 2025 could be a breakout year for Overy, who was able to leave Australia before his 18th birthday because of his British passport.

If he does well in the next few months, Overy could earn himself a spot on United’s post-season trip to Malaysia.

Archie Goodwin (Adelaide United)

Goodwin made headlines early in his career by becoming Newcastle Jets' youngest ever player.

He also became the club's youngest goalscorer, netting his first goal in a crucial match against Melbourne City.

Goodwin has demonstrated remarkable resilience in his young career after suffering multiple injuries, including broken bones in both feet, which limited his playing time significantly.

However, he is now fully over the problems and scoring regularly - bagging four goals in his last three A-League appearances for Adelaide United to take his tally to five this season.

Thomas Waddingham (Brisbane Roar)

Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday are understood to be vying for the signature of Waddingham, who was linked to Tottenham a few months back.

The 19-year-old has scored 15 times in 37 games across all competitions for Brisbane and his tally of 11 league goals puts him only five behind Irankunda in the list of top A-League scorers under the age of 20.

Waddingham’s form this season, which has seen him score four goals in eight league games for Brisbane, has also earned him comparisons with legendary Socceroos striker Mark Viduka.

Mohamed Toure (Randers)

Toure is another graduate of the Adelaide United production line making waves in Europe.

The 20-year-old striker struggled to settle in France but has finally found his feet in Denmark after his transfer to Randers.

Partly thanks to Toure’s four goals and four assists, Randers are three points off the top of the Danish Superliga and will be vying for a Champions League place in 2025.

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