Belgian Pro League: Who are the most interesting clubs and players for 2025/26 season?

Will Daniels takes us through the fourth and final of our Band 2 leagues to find out where the talent may lie for each club

This article rounds off our initial look at all of the Band 2 leagues at the beginning of the season.

We had

Craig Bradley

look at the Eredivisie

Felix Morson-Pate

went in depth on the Turkish Super Lig

Harry Spinks showed us around the Portuguese Primeira Division

And now we have Will Daniels, a good friend of mine who has watched the Belgian Pro League for many years, in stadiums in Belgium as well as from the equally picturesque setting of South Yorkshire, setting us on a path of which young players are emerging from Belgium.

---

Belgian Jupiler Pro League

The Jupiler Pro League, Belgium’s top-flight football division and one of Europe’s oldest (founded in 1895), is known for its unique format and talent development—especially from Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. The 2025/26 season marks the final year of its complex multi-tier structure, with no automatic relegation. Instead, the bottom club will face the Challenger Pro League playoff winner to decide who joins the expanded 18-team league in 2026/27. Without further ado, lets get into the runners and riders from this years competition:

Relegation candidates this season

RAAL La Louviere

Manager – Frédéric Taquin

Last season – Promoted to the Pro League as runners up of the Challenger Pro League

La Louvière’s return to the Belgian Pro League in 2025/26 is a remarkable story of revival, following years in the lower tiers and a rebrand as RAAL La Louvière after the original club’s 2009 collapse. Promoted via the Challenger Pro League playoffs, they now play in a new 8,000-seat stadium with a synthetic pitch, under the guidance of a manager who’s been in place since the club’s 2017 rebirth. While his longevity brings stability, his lack of top-flight experience could be a challenge. Despite limited top-tier pedigree in the squad, RAAL have made a respectable start and currently sit 11th, impressing defensively in a 5-3-2 setup. Veteran centre-back Wagane Faye brings much-needed leadership, while goalkeeper Marcus Peano has also started solidly. Survival will be difficult, but they’ve shown early signs of resilience.

Dender

Manager – Vacant

Last season – 12^th in last years regular Pro League, 4^th in the Conference League Play off group.

Last season was a major success for Dender, but promotion came at a cost—head coach Vincent Euvrard departed for Standard Liège, while defensive leader Joedrick Pupe joined Vancouver Whitecaps. Five games into the new campaign, Dender sit bottom of the Pro League with just two points, and their long-standing issue remains: a lack of goals. The departure of striker Aurélien Scheidler to relegation rivals Charleroi has only deepened that concern. On the positive side, their defensive structure has shown promise—Luc Marijnissen looks a shrewd €300k signing from Lierse, and Fulham loanee Luc De Fougerolles has made a strong start. Wing-back Fabio Ferraro continues to impress, but unless Dender address their attacking shortcomings soon, a difficult season lies ahead.

Zulte Waragem

Manager – Sven Vanderbroek
Last season – Promoted as champions of the Challenger Pro League

Zulte Waregem have returned to the Belgian top flight after two seasons in the Challenger Pro League, earning promotion as champions. So far, they’ve adopted a transitional, high-tempo style, with plenty of pace in attack thanks to Abdoulaye Traoré and Joseph Opoku. The standout performer has been Jeppe Erenbjerg, who has continued his strong form following a 2024/25 campaign that saw him register six goals and six assists. In midfield, Tochukwu Nnadi brings steel and aggression, though his discipline remains a concern—having already collected four yellow cards in five matches. Defensively, however, the team looks vulnerable. Their box defending has been suspect, and unless reinforcements arrive before the transfer window closes, they are likely to concede heavily. New signing Brent Gabriel, brought in from Lokeren, has also found the transition to top-flight football challenging. They have funds available following the £7.5 million sale of midfield powerhouse Pape Diop to Strasbourg this summer. However, given past experiences of overspending and the financial setbacks that followed, the club is now taking a more measured approach in the transfer market, aiming to operate within sustainable limits.

---

A season of mediocrity

OH Leuven

Manager – David Hubert

Last years position – 11^th in regular season, bottom of the Conference League play off group

Following the departure of former Wales manager Chris Coleman over the summer, OH Leuven entered a period of significant transition. Their most notable loss was the departure of star midfielder Ezechiel Banzuzi, who joined RB Leipzig in a €16 million move after an outstanding 2024/25 campaign. In his place, the club appointed David Hubert—formerly of Anderlecht—whose coaching background is rooted in youth development. However, his appointment presents an intriguing contrast, as Leuven currently possess the second-oldest squad in the Pro League.

The start to the 2025/26 season has been challenging. Leuven sit 13th after five games, struggling both in attack and defence. Despite promising young forwards Abdul Traoré (18) and Jovan Mijatović (20) leading the line, goals have been hard to come by. More concerning, however, is that they currently hold the league’s worst defensive record. The introduction of experienced defender Noë Dussenne helped stabilise the back line in their recent draw with fellow strugglers Dender, but the team will need greater contributions from midfield anchor Siebe Schrijvers, centre-back Ewoud Pletinckx, and the returning Charles Ikwuemesi if they are to steer clear of the drop zone. That said, with no automatic relegation this season, Leuven should have enough to survive—provided they address their key issues swiftly.

Westerlo

Manager – Issame Charai

Last season – 9^th in the regular season, 2^nd in the Conference League play off group

Last season, Westerlo were one of the most entertaining sides in the Belgian Pro League—boasting a potent attacking threat but frequently undone by defensive frailties. The campaign served as a breakout year for centre-back Luka Vusković, while striker Matija Frigan led the line with distinction. However, both have since departed: Vusković returned to parent club Tottenham Hotspur, and Frigan secured a move to Parma. Another key exit was Jordan Bos, who transferred to Feyenoord in a £5 million deal.

Now under the guidance of Isaame Charai, Westerlo possess a large and varied squad—currently numbering over 30 players. There is clear individual talent within the group: Isa Sakamoto brings flair, Josimar Alcocer has impressed early in the season, and captain Doğucan Haspolat continues to provide control and rhythm in midfield. Tuur Rommens has also drawn positive attention from our team with his performances. However, the absence of a commanding presence in the penalty area is evident, and new goalkeeper Andreas Jungdal, signed from Cremonese, has yet to fully settle. Westerlo remain a work in progress, with promise in attack but unresolved issues at the back.

Cercle Brugge

Manager – Onur Cinel

Last season - 13^th in the league, 2^nd in the relegation group

After a below-par 2024–25 campaign, Cercle Brugge have entered a new chapter with the appointment of Onur Cinel as head coach. A former assistant to renowned pressing strategist Ralf Rangnick, Cinel’s arrival aligns well with Cercle’s high-energy, aggressive playing identity—earning him early backing from within the club.

The summer saw significant turnover in personnel. Felipe Augusto departed for Trabzonspor in a £5 million deal that represents solid business, while key midfield presence Abu Francis joined Toulouse. Perhaps the most painful exit was homegrown attacker Thibo Somers, who moved to domestic rivals Antwerp. On the incoming side, Lawrence Agyekum returned from Red Bull Salzburg, though overall reinforcement has been modest.

Unsurprisingly, given the managerial transition and key departures, the start to the 2025–26 season has been inconsistent. Cercle now boast the youngest squad in the Pro League, and while that brings energy and potential, it also highlights areas of naivety—particularly defensively, where they’ve allowed too many chances. Up front, Steve Ngoura has carried a steady threat in his second season, while full-backs Nazinho and Gary Magnée have been productive in wide areas. Edgaras Utkus has stood out as a defensive leader, often appearing a level above, but the back line needs greater cohesion. If Ngoura’s form dips or injuries strike, the squad may also lack sufficient depth in attack—potentially prompting the need for another forward option.

Mechelen

Manager: Frederic Vanderbiest

Last season: 8^th in regular season,3^rd in Conference League play-off group

Frederic Vanderbiest has been appointed as head coach of KV Mechelen for the 2025–26 season, following his interim spell last term—a decision that some may view as a conservative or underwhelming choice. The club has undergone notable changes over the summer, losing key figures such as winger Nikola Storm, who secured a move to Turkish side Antalyaspor, and creative left-back Daam Foulon, who joined domestic rivals Antwerp.

In terms of reinforcements, Mechelen have added Terence Koudou from Ligue 2 side Pau; deployed as a right wing-back, his pace and dribbling ability provide a genuine attacking outlet. Promising centre-back Gora Diouf, 21, arrives on a free transfer from Swiss side Sion and has shown early signs of potential.

This Mechelen side presents an intriguing, if somewhat unpredictable, proposition. Much will depend on the leadership and consistency of captain Rob Schoofs, the fitness of forward Benito Raman, and the continued midfield dominance of Fredrik Hammar. However, questions remain—particularly around goal-scoring depth should Raman suffer injury. One bright spot is the emergence of Moncef Zekri, a 16-year-old left wing-back promoted from the academy, who has looked composed and comfortable at senior level despite his age.

Overall, while Mechelen possess individual quality, their season may hinge on several key players staying fit and performing consistently.

Charleroi

Manager: Rik De Mil

Last season: 10^th in the regular season, 1^st in the Conference League play off group

After a modest start to the 2024–25 season, Charleroi finished strongly and secured a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League—marking their first European qualification in five years. However, their continental campaign was short-lived, as they were eliminated in the playoff round by Swedish side Hammarby. Nonetheless, their qualification was a reflection of the excellent work done by head coach Rik De Mil, who has quickly established himself as one of the brightest managerial talents in the Belgian Pro League.

The club did, however, lose one of its standout performers in Adem Zorgane, who earned a €20 million move to league champions Union Saint-Gilloise after a superb campaign as one of the league’s top creative midfielders. In response, Jacob Romsaas has arrived from Tromsø to help fill the void, while there is growing expectation for Yassine Titraoui, a dynamic box-to-box midfielder with flair, to step up.

Charleroi have struggled somewhat in terms of chance creation early in the season, but they have looked well-organised and defensively resolute. Jérémy Petris has been a consistent presence at right-back, while centre-half Aiham Ousou has impressed with a strong start to the campaign. Overall, Charleroi appear defensively sound but will need to develop more attacking fluency if they are to build on last season’s progress.

Standard Liege

Manager – Vincent Euvrard

Last season – 7^th in the regular season, 5^th in the Conference League Play offs

Standard Liège have undergone significant upheaval in the early stages of the 2025–26 season. After Ivan Leko departed for Gen, his replacement Mircea Rednic—in his second spell at the club—lasted just five games, with consecutive heavy defeats to Union Saint-Gilloise and Cercle Brugge prompting his dismissal. Vincent Euvrard, who impressed last season by keeping Dender in the top flight despite limited resources, has now been tasked with steadying the ship. His appointment reflects the reality of Standard's situation: once a powerhouse of Belgian football, the club is now hampered by financial instability and reduced ambition.

There is no way to gloss over the team’s struggles last season. Standard were among the most uninspiring sides in the league, particularly in attack—creating few clear chances and finishing even fewer, underperforming their expected goals (xG) by a staggering 19 goals. Reinforcements have been made, with wide options Tobias Mohr and Adnane Abid showing promise once fully integrated, and striker Thomas Henry returning to the Pro League with two goals in his first four appearances following a difficult spell in Italy. However, much will depend on the fitness of key attacker Casper Nielsen, whose availability is far from guaranteed.

Early signs this season remain troubling. Standard have looked fragile at the back, conceding a high volume of shots. While a tactical shift to Euvrard’s familiar 3-5-2 system could help restore some structure, it’s worth noting that his Dender side also conceded the most goals in the league last year. Unless Euvrard can strike a balance between defensive stability and attacking efficiency, Standard could be in for a challenging campaign.

---

Challenging for European places

Sint Truiden

Manager – Wouter Vrancken

Last season – 14^th in the regular season, 1^st in the relegation group

Sint-Truiden have emerged as the early pace-setters in the 2025–26 Belgian Pro League, collecting 13 points from their opening five matches. Their strong start is all the more impressive given the summer departures of key players—talismanic forward Adriano Bertaccini, who joined Anderlecht for £5 million, and dynamic midfielder Joel Fujita, who moved to FC St. Pauli for £3.5 million.

A significant off-field development this season has been the deepening of the club’s partnership with Japanese e-commerce giant Japanet, which has brought further Japanese investment and strengthened Sint-Truiden's vision of creating a Japan-centric footballing ecosystem. The aim is to accelerate the integration of Japanese players and coaches into the European game—a philosophy clearly reflected in the team’s starting XI.

Leo Kokubo has had a standout start in goal, while Taiga Hata has impressed at left-back with his tireless running and attacking instincts. In midfield, Rihito Yamamoto offers energy and technical precision, and Ryotaro Ito has been one of the league’s standout performers so far. Though used primarily as an impact substitute, Keisuke Goto has already netted three goals and appears poised to take over as the starting striker. Louis Patris has also made an encouraging start at right-back, combining defensive stability with forward thrust.

Despite a relatively favourable opening schedule, Sint-Truiden look like a cohesive, well-drilled unit—balanced at both ends of the pitch. If they can maintain this form, there is every reason to believe they could mount a serious challenge for European qualification.

Gent

Manager – Ivan Leko

Last season - 6^th in regular season, 6^th in Championship round

KAA Gent have experienced notable squad turnover ahead of the 2025–26 season, with several key departures reshaping their defensive unit. Former Derby County full-back Archie Brown completed an €8 million move to Fenerbahçe, despite reported interest from AC Milan, while centre-back Tsuyoshi Watanabe joined Feyenoord in the Eredivisie. As a result, head coach Ivan Leko has been tasked with rebuilding half of last season’s back line.

To address the gaps, Gent have brought in Maksim Paskotši, a promising centre-back from Grasshoppers who previously spent part of his youth development at Tottenham Hotspur. Siebe Van der Heyden also returns to the Belgian Pro League after two years abroad, and forward Wilfried Kanga joins following a difficult stint at Cardiff City. However, early in the campaign, defending set pieces has been a vulnerability, and tightening up defensively will be a priority for Leko.

The squad possesses considerable potential, though it remains somewhat bloated, particularly in attack, with eight senior forwards currently available. Midfielder Mathias Delorge is being tipped to take a step forward in his development, while Omri Gandelman—one of the league’s top-scoring midfielders last season—will once again be crucial in the final third. Davy Roef has made an impressive start to the season for KAA Gent, building on his status as one of the club’s standout performers during the previous campaign. His consistency and reliability between the posts continue to be a key asset for the team.

Having failed to qualify for European competition, Gent may benefit from a reduced fixture load and increased time on the training ground, which could prove instrumental in integrating new arrivals and instilling tactical cohesion.

Antwerp

Manager – Stef Wils

Last season – 5^th in the regular season, 5^th in the Championship group

Antwerp entered the 2025–26 season amid considerable change, both on and off the pitch. The club explored the appointment of Rik De Mil—highly regarded for his work at Charleroi—but were ultimately unable to prise him away, opting instead to retain Stef Wils in a bid for continuity during a period of significant squad turnover.

One of the most notable departures is Toby Alderweireld, who announced his retirement, leaving a substantial void in Antwerp’s defensive structure. In goal, Senne Lammens is widely expected to depart, with Manchester United, Manchester City, and Galatasaray among the clubs linked with a move for the highly rated goalkeeper. To prepare for this, Antwerp have already secured a replacement in Taishi Nozawa, signed from FC Tokyo. Meanwhile, attacker Michel-Ange Balikwisha is set to join Celtic, and rising midfield talent Mahamadou Doumbia has attracted serious interest from Premier League clubs—thanks to his combination of physicality, technical skill, and tactical intelligence.

In response to these high-profile exits, Antwerp have turned to proven domestic talent. Daam Foulon, one of the league’s most consistent full-backs, joins from Mechelen, while Thibo Somers, a key figure for Cercle Brugge, arrives to add depth and versatility.

Offensively, Vincent Janssen remains central to Antwerp’s attack, with the club still seeking a long-term successor to his goal-scoring influence. Creativity remains an issue in the final third, and given the overall youthfulness of the squad, inconsistency is likely to characterise much of Antwerp’s campaign.

Genk

Manager – Thorsten Fink

Last season – 1^st in the regular season, 3^rd in the Championship group.

After leading the Belgian Pro League for much of the 2024–25 campaign, KRC Genk saw their title challenge falter during the playoff phase. Central to their regular-season success was striker Tolu Arokodare, whose goals proved decisive throughout the campaign. While a summer departure has long been anticipated, a transfer has yet to materialise—though Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly made a late move for his services. Should Arokodare leave, Genk will urgently need to recruit a similarly physical forward to maintain their attacking structure. Hyeon-gyu Oh has been deployed as a lone striker at times, but the diminutive forward lacks the hold-up ability and physical presence required to link Genk’s attack effectively.

Another key departure is that of goalkeeper Mike Penders, who returned to Chelsea following a standout loan spell. Genk’s efforts to extend his stay were unsuccessful, leading to the acquisition of Tobias Lawal from LASK. Lawal brings strong shot-stopping abilities, physical presence, and composure in possession—traits well-suited to Genk’s style.

The club has endured a challenging start to the 2025–26 season, winning just once in their first four matches. However, there have been bright spots. Wing-back Zakaria El Ouahdi has impressed with his technical quality and composure, already contributing three goals while remaining defensively sound. Creative midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas is expected to take another step forward in his development, and consistent end product could see him emerge as a serious target for elite European clubs. At the back, Matte Smets has shown maturity beyond his years and looks to be one of Belgium’s most promising young centre-backs.

While a regression from last season's title push is likely given the unsettled striker situation, Genk remain strong contenders for a top-three finish and European qualification.

---

To challenge

Anderlecht

Manager – Besnik Hasi

Last season – 4^th in the regular season, 4^th in the Championship round.

RSC Anderlecht endured an underwhelming 2024–25 campaign, and while some clubs might have opted for a change in leadership, the board have shown faith in Besnik Hasi, retaining him as head coach. Despite widespread speculation that several key players would depart over the summer, the club has thus far succeeded in keeping the core of its squad intact.

Early signs this season have been promising. Anderlecht have played with a renewed sense of purpose, particularly in attacking areas. In midfield, Enric Llansana, signed from Go Ahead Eagles, has been instrumental in progressing play through the lines and anchoring the team’s double pivot. He’s been partnered by Nathan De Cat, a 16-year-old prodigy whose composure, physicality, and technical quality far exceed his years—marking him as one of Belgium’s brightest prospects.

Out wide, Nilson Angulo has come into his own, leading the league in assists and proving to be a consistent creative outlet. Veteran Thorgan Hazard has rediscovered his form, currently leading the league in goals and offering valuable experience in a youthful side. The addition of last season’s top scorer Adriano Bertaccini significantly strengthens their attacking threat, while the fitness of Kasper Dolberg will be crucial to maintaining their goal-scoring momentum.

However, questions remain over their defensive stability. The back line, while talented, is young and lacks a commanding, experienced presence—something that could undermine a potential title challenge. Still, with their attacking firepower and blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned quality, Anderlecht look poised to be one of the most entertaining sides in the league this season.

Union St Gilloise

Manager – Sebastian Pocognoli

Last season – 3^rd in the regular season, 1^st in the Championship Group

Union Saint-Gilloise ended a 90-year wait for league glory by lifting the Belgian Pro League title in 2024–25—a triumph that was both historic and richly deserved. Their strong finish to the season saw them find top form at the right time, ultimately edging out Club Brugge in the closing stages.

As is often the case with title-winning sides, Union experienced significant player turnover during the summer. Franjo Ivanović, who was instrumental in last season’s success, joined Benfica for approximately £25 million. Dynamic midfielder Noah Fadiga made the move to Sunderland, while versatile forward Mohamed Amoura departed for Wolfsburg. True to form, Union responded with typically shrewd recruitment. They secured Adem Zorgane, Charleroi’s standout midfielder, to strengthen the centre of the park, and added Austrian attacker Raul Florucz from NK Olimpija—already off the mark with three goals. Kjell Scherpen was brought in from Brighton to fill the void left by long-serving goalkeeper Antony Moris.

The 2025–26 season has started positively, with Union sitting second in the table on 11 points after five matches. Central to that form has been veteran centre-back Christian Burgess, whose leadership, composure in possession, and threat from set pieces continue to anchor the team. Alongside him, Fedde Leysen is emerging as one of the league’s most promising young defenders. This is without mentioning Promise David, the club’s leading marksman last season with 19 goals, who has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting attacking talents in the league—and could well become Union Saint-Gilloise’s next major sale.

With a balanced mix of attacking flair and defensive resilience, Union Saint-Gilloise look well-positioned to mount another serious title challenge this season.

Club Brugge

It wasn’t to be for Club Brugge last season, as they narrowly missed out on the title to Union Saint-Gilloise. However, under the guidance of highly regarded head coach Nicky Hayen, considered one of Europe’s brightest managerial prospects, the club remains firmly on an upward trajectory.

This summer saw several key departures. Creative midfielder Ardon Jashari secured a long-anticipated move to AC Milan, while marauding left-back Maxim De Cuyper and promising winger Chemsdine Taibi joined Brighton and Sunderland respectively in £20 million deals. Striker Ferran Jutglà has also left, signing for Celta Vigo in LaLiga. These exits have injected significant funds into the club, giving Brugge flexibility to strengthen before the window closes.

Among the standout arrivals is Aleksandar Stanković, a physically dominant holding midfielder who offers much-needed steel in the centre of the park. German U21 international Nicolo Tresoldi arrives to fill the void left by Jutglà, while Joaquin Seys has stepped up impressively to replace De Cuyper on the left flank.

The new season has started strongly. In Europe, Club Brugge made headlines with a resounding 9-1 victory over Rangers, underlining their attacking prowess. While they’ve occasionally lacked efficiency in front of goal, the presence of Christos Tzolis, Hans Vanaken, and the emerging Romeo Vermant ensures consistent threat in the final third. Defensively, Brugge boast one of the league’s strongest units, marshalled by Jorne Spileers and Joel Ordóñez at centre-back. The goalkeeping duties are currently being shared between Nordin Jackers and veteran Simon Mignolet, with the latter continuing to perform at a high level despite his advancing years—particularly crucial given the club's congested fixture schedule.

With a well-balanced squad capable of scoring goals and keeping them out, Club Brugge will undoubtedly be strong contenders for the title once again this season.

Thanks for taking time to read! Please note, you can now watch 3 Belgian Pro League games per week for free on the DAZN app. Highlights are also available on the Dazn Youtube page.