Gael Bigirimana: ‘Simplicity is genius’ – From the Premier League to Irish Cup

He’s played at Old Trafford and the Emirates, scored at Wembley and featured in one of football’s biggest tournaments.

Yet it’s a small town in Northern Ireland, playing in front of 2,000 people most weeks, where Gael Bigirimana feels most at home.

From Newcastle United to Dungannon Swifts, it’s been some journey for the Burundi international.

The 31-year-has been a revelation since moving to Stangmore Park in 2023, and he has helped the Irish Premiership’s underdogs to a second-ever Irish Cup final and a possible European adventure.

Bigirimana is loved in Dungannon, and that feeling is mutual.

In his words, sometimes “simplicity is genius”.

“I’ve been on the other end of where I am now, when I was at such a big club and earning money that, as a kid, I never would have dreamed of,” said Bigirimana, who played for Burundi at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019.

“I know the benefit of all the finance and glamour of playing at a high-level team, but you can lose the simplicity and love of the game.

“That’s what it’s all about, people helping each other and building a community where others can have inspiration.”