SUMMER MERCATO 2021

The Swedish forward is transferred permanently to FC Baniyas.

Kiese Thelin is leaving RSC Anderlecht. The now 29-year-old striker came to Neerpede in January 2017. Thelin played 45 matches in the purple and white shirt.

In recent seasons, Thelin played on loan for Waasland-Beveren, Bayer Leverküsen (Germany), Malmö FF (Sweden) and Kasimpasa (Turkey). He now seals a permanent move to FC Baniyas in the United Arab Emirates.

RSC Anderlecht wishes Isaac all the best in his future career.

Midfielder Kenny Saief arrived at Neerpede during the 2018 winter mercato and has now left RSCA to join the Israeli top flight club.

Kenny Saief had initially joined RSC Anderlecht on loan in January 2018 and was transferred permanently to Sporting the following summer. After 34 matches with the Mauves and two successive loans (to FC Cincinnati in MLS and Lechia Gdansk in Poland), the 27-year-old American-Israeli player returns to his roots in the league where he started his professional career.

Good luck in your future career, Kenny.

The Neerpede-trained midfielder has transferred to KV Oostende. The latter has immediately loaned him to Nancy.

Sieben Dewaele (22), a midfielder fully trained at Neerpede, has been transferred permanently to KV Oostende. Last summer, RSC Anderlecht loaned him to SC Heerenveen in the Eredivisie for a year. This year, Sieben will play for the colours of the French second division team Nancy, to whom KV Oostende immediately lends him.

Good luck for the rest of your career, Sieben.

The striker returns to Denmark on loan

Mustapha Bundu will play for Danish side Aarhus FG this season. For Bundu, it will be a reunion with the club he left in the summer of 2020 on his transfer to RSC Anderlecht. Last season Bundu was on loan to FC Copenhagen, so this season he plays again in the Danish Superligaen.

Good luck Mustapha.

The midfielder will be playing at the Freethiel next season

Aristote Nkaka is loaned to Waasland-Beveren for one season. The 25-year-old midfielder came to RSC Anderlecht from KV Oostende in the summer of 2019. Last season, Nkaka played for SC Paderborn in the German second division. Nkaka will complete the current season at Waasland-Beveren.

Good luck Aristote.

The striker will play in the Spanish second division

Ghanaian striker Mohammed Dauda (23) has been loaned to FC Cartagena until the end of the season. Dauda arrived at Neerpede in January 2017 directly from his parent club Asante Kotoko SC. Mohammed had loan spells before at Vitesse Arnhem and most recently at Esbjerg fB.  This season, he will be playing in La Liga 2.

Good luck, Mohammed.

The defender will play in Anderlecht on a loan deal

Lisandro Magallán is a 27-year-old central defender from Argentina. With the Boca Juniors, he managed to win the title in 2018 and he also reached the final of the Copa Libertadores. In 2019, Magallán sealed a permanent move to Ajax.

At the start of the 2019-2020 season, Magallán was loaned to Spanish side Alavés. Last season, the defender played for the Italian FC Crotone in Serie A. This season, Magallán played in all the games during the preparation with Ajax, including the one against RSC Anderlecht. He was always part of the selection in the Dutch competition as well. In the end, he will be wearing the purple and white jersey for the next year.

"With the loss of Hannes Delcroix, we temporarily lose a young yet experienced player in the heart of our defense", our Sports Director Peter Verbeke explains. "Our confidence in other young players like Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Zeno Debast is firm, but experience and competition are also important elements in a long season. The arrival of Lisandro can only contribute to that.”

Bienvenido, Lisandro.

The contract between Bubacarr Sanneh and RSC Anderlecht was cancelled by mutual agreement. Also Luka Adzic is no longer a player of the club. RSC Anderlecht wishes both players success in the continuation of their careers.

The defender is loaned to the Italian club in the Serie B 

Elias Cobbaut joined RSCA from KV Mechelen in the summer of 2018. He played 76 matches in purple and white and was also called up for the Red Devils for the first time while at RSCA.  

The left-footed defender will play for Italian side Parma Calcio 1913, in the Serie B, on a loan deal.   

RSC Anderlecht wishes Elias the best of luck this season.  

The Ivorian striker will play at the Lotto Park this season

Christian Kouamé joins RSC Anderlecht on loan from the Italian side ACF Fiorentina. The 23-year-old striker will strengthen our attack his season.

Kouamé spent his entire football career in Italy. From the youth teams at Sassuolo, Prato and Inter, he joined Citadella in Serie B in the summer of 2017. The striker scored 11 goals in 40 games in the '17-'18 season.

In 2018, Kouamé made his debut in the Serie A with Genoa. Even after being confronted with a injury that kept him sidelined for months, he secured a move to Fiorentina in 2020. This season, he will play on loan at RSC Anderlecht.

"Christian is a young striker who already has a lot of experience", our Director of Sports Peter Verbeke states. "He combines power with speed: qualities we wanted to add to our squad. His arrival should enable us to add to our scoring capabilities. Just like Joshua Zirkzee, Christian chose RSCA as an important step in his further development. That element has also been important in our choice for Christian."

“I’m really excited to play for RSC Anderlecht this season”, Christian Kouamé says upon his arrival at Neerpede. “The style of play that the coach desires should suit me. I’m obviously joining a strong squad and I hope I can meet the fans in the stadium soon.”

The German goalkeeper will play in the Eredivisie next season

Timon Wellenreuther will return to Willem II this season on loan. Wellenreuther played 23 games in purple and white last season. In Tilburg, the goalkeeper will join the club that he left last summer.

Good luck in Tilburg, Timon.

Yevhen Makarenko is leaving RSCA for the Hungarian team Fehérvár FC. The two clubs have reached an agreement concerning the permanent transfer of the Ukranian.

Makarenko joined RSCA in the summer of 2018. After a loan spell at KV Kortrijk in the last season and a half, the midfielder will now continue his career at the Hungarian team Fehérvár FC - formerly known as Videoton FC. The club ended third in the Hungarian league last season.

Makarenko, who played for the national team of Ukrain at Euro 2020, joins Fehérvár FC on a permanent transfer.

RSCA wishes Yevhen all the best for his career.

RSC Anderlecht and FC Twente reached an agreement concerning the loan of midfielder Michel Vlap. He will therefore play in the Dutch Eredivisie championship this season with the Tukkers.

The Dutchman joined the Mauves in the summer of 2019 from SC Heerenveen. In our colours, the Dutchman played 36 official matches and scored 11 goals. Last season, Michel Vlap played for Arminia Bielefeld in the Bundesliga on loan.

Good luck in Enschede, Michel.

The Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee joins RSC Anderlecht on a season-long loan deal from FC Bayern Munich.

Zirkzee began his formation in Holland at ADO Den Haag and Feyenoord, but moved to the youth teams of Bayern Munich in 2017. He made his debut in the first team at Bayern in December 2019 and subsequently played his first minutes in the Bundesliga and the Champions League. Zirkzee would go on to score 4 goals in 9 games in the German league that season.

The Dutchman, who has also been called up several times for the U21 national team of Holland, will find his new challenge in the Lotto Park this season.

Joshua is delighted to be in Brussels. “After a phone call with Vincent Kompany, I immediately felt a connection. The club placed a lot of trust on me and I think the style of play suits me well. I feel ready to contribute to the team and to help the club to achieve its goals.”

“Joshua is a young centre-forward with huge potential”, says Sports Director Peter Verbeke. “It fits our philosophy to help him develop, while also achieving results. Joshua can keep the ball, but also has good passing and individual skills. With Joshua, we’re again adding extra quality to the squad.”

Swedish central midfielder Kristoffer Olsson (26) will be wearing purple & white for the upcoming 4 seasons. Olsson is transferred from the Russian FK Krasnodar and was a stronghold in the Swedish national team at the Euros this summer.

Olsson spent his first years in professional football at Arsenal FC. After his experiences in England, the creative midfielder first joined Midtjylland in Denmark before moving to AIK in Sweden. He won domestic titles with both teams. Olsson joined Krasnodar FK in 2019 and played in the Champions League in the last two seasons.

Olsson also started every game at Euro 2020 for Sweden. He’s a technical midfielder that will fit the Anderlecht style of play, according to Sports Director Peter Verbeke. “Olsson enjoyed his formation at Arsenal and that shows. He likes to have the ball, he thinks quickly & creatively and prefers a vertical style of play. He suits the philosophy of the club and he can play on several positions on the midfield.”

Kristoffer Olsson arrives at the club with a lot of ambition. "Kristoffer arrives at the club with a lot of ambition. “I like technical football and good passing, but I also want to do everything to win. This club is writing a new story and I want to be part of that. In the end I want to win titles with RSC Anderlecht again. Obviously, I know the Swedish players that performed really well here in the past, like Pär Zetterberg and Christian Wilhelmsson. I hope to build on that.”

Välkommen, Kristoffer!

After 12 great years, Albert Mboyo Sambi Lokonga will be leaving Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht. The elegant midfielder has completed his move to Arsenal FC.

After Tielemans, Lukaku, Dendoncker, Praet, Bornauw and Saelemaekers, Sambi is once again a prime example of the youth academy of RSC Anderlecht at Neerpede. Discovered back in 2009, Albert signed his first professional contract in 2017, after which he swiftly made his debut in the first team. In recent seasons, Albert emerged as an absolute stronghold on the midfield of RSC Anderlecht. He also wore the captain's armband last season. Albert continued his strong performances with the national reserves and was called up for Belgium’s A-team for the first time this spring by coach Roberto Martinez. He also prepared the European Championship with our national team.

Albert insists on thanking the club and the fans for all the great years. "I’m making a move from one big club to another. I am proud of this new step, but also sad that I am leaving RSCA. I want to thank you for all the love I have always received here. I am a mauve for life."

The whole club wants to wish Albert all the best in his further career. Albert will always carry the 'Made in Neerpede'-stamp and will continue to reap the benefits of his formation at Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht.

Good luck Sambi!

RSC Anderlecht and AEK Athens have today reached an agreement on the permanent transfer of center-back Ognjen Vranjes. The Bosnian joined Sporting in the summer of 2018. After two loan spells at AEK and Charleroi, Vranjes now moves back to a club he knows very well. Having played 87 matches at AEK in two seasons, Vranjes also lifted the Greek title just before arriving in Anderlecht.

RSCA wishes Ognjen all the best for the rest of his career.

Benito Raman (26) joins from Schalke 04 and will play in purple & white for the next three seasons.  

Benito Raman played about 80 games in the Bundesliga at Düsseldorf and Schalke 04. Before that, he played for several Belgian clubs the likes of AA Gent, Beerschot, STVV and Standard. Thanks to his experience in Belgium and beyond, Raman will contribute to Anderlecht’s attacking play. 

Raman is delighted to be in Brussels. “When a club like Anderlecht calls, you don't have to think twice. I already know quite a few players here like Hendrik Van Crombrugge, Colin Coosemans and Yari Verschaeren. I’m ready to prove my worth here at RSCA and I’m looking forward to the first games in purple & white.” 

“Benito will add speed and depth to our attack”, says Director of Sports Peter Verbeke. “He’ll fit perfectly in the way we want to press high and aggressively.” 

Welcome Benito! 

Tshibangu received his formation at FC Lokolo Moto and the US Dragons Bilima. At the age of sixteen he moved to Lumumbashi to play with TP Mazembe. Today Tshibangu signed a contract with Sporting until 2024.

In two seasons, Tshibangu proved himself an important player in TP Mazembé's attack. With his explosive playing style and his speed, he became a certainty on the wings or as a center half of Les Corbeaux. He scored nine goals and gave four assists in 44 games. He also played five matches in the Champions League of the CAF, in which he scored once. His strong performances earned him a first national selection for Les Léopards at the age of sixteen.

Welcome, Isaac.

The talented Catalan, trained at La Masia, comes over from Dortmund.

RSC Anderlecht have reached an agreement with Borussia Dortmund about the definitive transfer of Sergio Gómez. Gómez received his education at La Masia, the renowned youth academy of FC Barcelona. During his training, he was also a permanent member of the Spanish youth selections. The now 20-year-old Catalan made the switch from Barça to Dortmund in 2018, where he made his professional debut. After a loan spell at Huesca, where he played 68 games and promoted to the first division as champion of La Liga 2, Gómez now makes the definitive switch to RSC Anderlecht. He signs a contract until 2025, and joins the group on Monday.

Peter Verbeke, Sporting Director: “Sergio is a versatile player who can play in the midfield, on the wing and as a left wing back. Because of his formation, he is technically very good, but he also plays with the right amount of agrgressivity. This, in combination with his explosiveness and speed, make him a player with great potential.”

Sergio Gómez: “I am very happy to take this next step in my career. At RSC Anderlecht I hope to be able to contribute to pretyy and attacking football. I can play in different positions, so I hope to be able to help the team in the position where the coach needs me most.”

Knowledge Musona will play for Al-Tai FC next season. 

Musona (31) came over from Ostend in 2019. The last year and a half he was loaned to KAS Eupen, where he played 33 games and scored 9 times. Now he moves to Al-Tai FC, which just got promoted to the MBS League in Saudi Arabia.

Sporting wishes Knowledge all the best for the rest of his career.

Good luck, Knowledge.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis will play at Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht next season. The right-footed central defender will joing Sporting on loan from Manchester City for one season. Last season, the Cityzens loaned the youngster to the Blackburn Rovers for half a season, where he gained experience throughout 19 games in the English second division. Taylor Harwood-Bellis was also a regular part of England's national squads during his youth years. Taylor will officialy join Sporting as from 1 July.

Peter Verbeke, Sporting Director: "Taylor is a young central defender who already plays with a lot of personality and maturity. His training at City, toghether with experience in the Championship, makes him a player who is good on the ball and who has a lot of aggressivity and audacity."

Welcome, Taylor, and good luck.

RSC Anderlecht and Istanbul Başakşehir FK reached an agreement on Monday about the definitive transfer of Austrian midfielder Peter Zulj.

Peter joined Sporting in January 2019 after a transfer from Sturm Graz. After having played 40 games in Belgium, the Austrian was loaned to Göztepe SK last winter, where he convinced Süper Lig side Başakşehir of his qualities.

Sporting wishes Peter every success at his new club and thanks him for his professionalism during his stay at Neerpede. Viel Gluck, Peter.

Loïc Masscho has extended his contract today. This offensive right back, who can also play on the left, joined RSCA as a U14 and has developed nicely since then. He is a fixed value within RSCA U21, the national youth teams, and highly appreciated for his running ability and winning mentality. He is a Purple Talent graduate who is also continuing his higher studies (commercial engineering at the university) in addition to the football career that he is trying to further develop at RSCA.

Good luck, Loïc!

The Ghanaian signs a contract with Sporting until 2025. Like last season, the attacking midfielder will play with the number 18.

Majeed Ashimeru, who was loaned to RSC Anderlecht by RB Salzburg during the last winter transfer window, is now officially a Mauve. Majeed was able to convince the technical staff of his qualities during his loan spell, and also felt at home at Sporting himself. RSCA will now definitively take over the 23-year-old Ghanaian from the Austrian club.

Peter Verbeke: "Despite a difficult integration due to Covid and an injury, Majeed has shown in his best moments what he can teach us. He has an excellent vista and passing, coupled with speed and infiltration ability, interesting qualities to give our midfield a little extra bring the following seasons."

Welcome, Majeed!

Wesley Hoedt will play for Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht next season. The Mauve & Whites and Southampton FC reached an agreement on a permanent transfer of the 27-year-old central defender. Hoedt signs a contract until 2025 and will play with the number 4.

The Dutchman was born in Alkmaar and also received his formation at AZ. With his 27 years of age, he adds a lot of experience at the heart of our defense. Hoedt not only gained experience in the Eredivisie, but also played for Lazio in the Serie A, Celta de Vigo in La Liga and Southampton in the Premier League. The Jupiler Pro League is also not an unknown competition for Hoedt. At Sporting, Wesley meets his former teammate Lior Refaelov, who he knows from R. Antwerp FC, where he left a strong impression. Hoedt has 6 caps for the Dutch national team to his name.

“With Hoedt, we add leadership and experience to the team. This balance is necessary to allow our many young players to develop optimally and to strive for results. Wesley is also good on the ball and plays with guts and confidence, which fits very well with the football this club wants to bring.” Peter Verbeke, Sports Director.

Wesley Hoedt: “The contacts between RSC Anderlecht and myself have been going on for more than a year now. There was an immediate click with Peter and Vincent but we had to wait for the right moment. For me, the choice for RSC Anderlecht is primarily a sporting choice. I want to help make this project a success, to go for the highest again. It is up to myself and Lior to give the dressing room the necessary maturity. And help the many young players develop to the fullest.”

Welcome, Wesley.

This Wednesday, June 16, Yari Verschaeren signed for an extended stay at RSC Anderlecht until 2024. The attacking midfielder remains loyal to his formation club after eleven years.

Yari made his debut on November 25, 2018 in the away match against Sint-Truiden. In the 67 professional matches which followed, he won the hearts of the Purple & White fans and became a fan favourite in the Lotto Park. Last season, too, he made himself important for Sporting in the last ten league games after an ankle injury. With four goals and two assists, he managed to qualify the team for European football. Yari also made his mark with the national team. The Kid has now collected 6 caps, in which he scored one goal for the Red Devils.

Yari Verschaeren: “I am very happy that I can officially extend my contract with the club of my heart. I feel at home at Sporting, and I also owe a lot to the club. It is therefore a logical decision for me to play in mauve and white until 2024.”

Peter Verbeke, Sports Director: “Yari has gone through difficult periods due to a number of unfortunate injuries. That will also have made him stronger. Now we want to take a new step in his development together. His potential is great and he can play a key role for us next season.”

Lucas Stassin has signed his first professional contract with RSCA, the club where he received his formation. The young striker of 16 (born 29/11/2004) signed a contract with the Mauves & White until 2024. He will train with the A-team from this season onwards.

Lucas first set foot on Neerpede at the age of 9 in July 2014. The right-footed attacker is the son of Stéphane Stassin, former defender of Sporting's first team and youth coach at Neerpede since many years. Lucas will join Vincent Kompany's group from today onwards, and will train with the first team. RSCA continues to place its trust on its own players Made in Neerpede.

"Lucas is a striker with interesting movement without the ball and a nose for goals. If he continues to take the necessary steps, there is a bright future for him in the Lotto Park", said Jean Kindermans, head of the Academy.

Congratulations, and good luck Lucas!

In addition to Aaron Danks, Vincent Kompany's new assistant coach, two more new faces made their first appearance on the practice field: Lior Refaelov and Colin Coosemans, both arrived at the end of last season, were introduced to the group and were looking for the their place in the locker room. In addition to the new names, some loaned players also made their appearance at Neerpede, such as our youth product Sieben Dewaele and Michel Vlap. Isaac Kiese Thelin also rejoins this week.

Lucas Lissens, who will be celebrating his 20th birthday in July, just extended his contract with his youth club until 2024. The central defender made his debut for Sporting's A-team last season, and is ready to develop further and compete for a spot in the starting eleven of mauve and white.

Lucas completed his formation at Neerpede, all whilst obtaining his secondary diploma with flying colors. Today he continues his studies at the VUB, where he is following a degree in social sciences.

Congratulations and good luck, Lucas!

Théo Leoni has been playing at Sporting since 2012, which has now been nine seasons. Today he extended his contract until 2022. The talented attacking midfielder, who has been part of the A-team since this season, will soon be celebrating his tenth season with the Purple & White.

Congratulations, Theo.

Nany Dimata was loaned during the winter mercato to the Spanish Espanyol, which plays in the Segunda División. The club from Barcelona was crowned champion on Sunday and thus assured itself of promotion. Thanks to this achievement, the definitive purchase clause in Nany's transfer agreement is activated.

Sporting wishes Nany all the best for the rest of his career.

Goalkeeper Colin Coosemans comes to RSC Anderlecht. He signs for 2 seasons, with an option for a third.

Colin has a lot of experience on the Belgian fields: he previously defended the nets for Club Brugge, Waasland Beveren, KV Mechelen and AA Gent. The 28-year-old from Ghent with more than 190 matches was already good for 64 clean sheets at the highest level.

Colin Coosemans : "I am very proud to play for Anderlecht and I look forward to meeting the group. Measuring myself every day against the other goalkeepers is a great challenge. From everything I have seen and heard, I notice that There is a new wind and new ambition blowing through the club. I am also very much looking forward to working with Vincent Kompany, Jelle Ten Rouwelaar and the rest of the staff.”

Welcome, Colin.