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Portuguese giants Sporting CP have officially confirmed the signing of Socceroos star Nestory Irankunda from Watford on a deal through to 2031. The 20-year-old’s arrival has been one of football’s worst kept secrets for weeks, with negotiations between Sporting and the Championship outfit playing out in the media. After a long-running transfer saga, the Portuguese side have got their man, announcing Irankunda’s signing on Saturday night AEST and confirming that his contract contains a release clause that stands at €80 million (A$130m). The club welcomed the Socceroo with a social media video inspired by his viral Michael Jackson celebration. Watch it below. “I accepted the offer thanks to conversations I had with people within the club’s structure,” Irankunda told Sporting’s official website. “The project seemed very good to me and, obviously, Sporting CP is a top club with a great history. I wanted to accept this challenge and I’m ready. “Even someone who lives on the other side of the world, like me, looks at Sporting CP and understands how fantastic and passionate the fans are. That’s why, and also because of the club’s history, I get goosebumps thinking that I’m wanted by a club like that. When they told me about Sporting CP, it was Sporting CP all the way.” He added: “I came here to win titles and to play for great fans. “I want to make history and there’s no better place to do that than Sporting CP. I’m very happy to be here and I hope to win trophies this season. “It’s a moment of great happiness and pride. I’m very excited. Any child or person who loves football dreams of playing in the UEFA Champions League. Having this opportunity will be fantastic and a dream come true.” Sporting have already played two matches in their league campaign, registering their first win of the season 3-2 over Vitoria overnight. Irankunda will also get the opportunity to play in the UEFA Champions League, with a second-placed finish last term securing a spot in the league phase. The Aussie becomes the latest in a long line of star wingers to play at Sporting, joining the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Quaresma and Nani. Sporting boss Rui Borges spoke about Irankunda in a press conference ahead of his signing. “He’s a player we wanted a lot, and I think he will add a lot to our group,” he said. “(He’s) a player with different characteristics from the ones we have, and personally I’m very anxious to work with him, to even better understand the characteristics that we think he can add to the team, and that makes us stronger. That’s always our goal.”