2025–26 KRC Genk season

Last updated
KRC Genk
2025-26 season
ChairmanPeter Croonen
Head Coach Thorsten Fink
Stadium Cegeka Arena
Belgian Pro League 10th
Belgian Cup Seventh round
Europa League League stage
  2024–25
2026–27  
All statistics correct as of 13 September 2025.

The 2025-26 season is the 38th season in the history of the K.R.C. Genk as a football club, and the 30th consecutive season in Belgian Pro League. In addition to the domestic league, the team participated in the Belgian Cup and in the UEFA Europa League.

Contents

Players

Squad information

Players, appearances, goals and squad numbers last updated on 9 August 2025. Appearances and goals include all official competition matches. [1]
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.PlayerNat.Position(s)Date of birth (age)Signed inContract endsSigned fromTransfer feeApps.Goals
Goalkeepers
1 Hendrik Van Crombrugge Flag of Belgium (civil).svg GK 7 June 2007 (age 18)2023 [2] 2027 [3] Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Anderlecht €1.3M240
26 Tobias Lawal Flag of Austria.svg GK 7 June 2000 (age 25)20252029 [4] Flag of Austria.svg LASK €3.2M20
28 Lucca Brughmans Flag of Belgium (civil).svg GK 27 June 2008 (age 17)20242028 [5] Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Youth Sector N/A00
71 Brent Stevens Flag of Belgium (civil).svg GK 11 August 2025 (age 1 month)20242026 [6] Flag of the Netherlands.svg MVV Maastricht Free00
Defenders
3 Mujaid Sadick Flag of Spain.svg CB / RB 14 March 2000 (age 25)20212028 [7] Flag of Spain.svg Deportivo €1.7M1203
6 Matte Smets Flag of Belgium (civil).svg CB / DM 4 January 2004 (age 21)20242028 [8] Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Sint-Truiden €2.25M460
18 Joris Kayembe Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg LB / LM / LW 8 August 1994 (age 31)20232026 [9] Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Charleroi N/A824
19 Yaimar Medina Flag of Ecuador.svg LB / LM / LW 5 November 2004 (age 20)20252029 [10] Flag of Ecuador.svg Independiente €4.85M50
22Brad Manguelle Flag of Belgium (civil).svg CB 27 November 2007 (age 17)20242027 [11] Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Youth Sector N/A00
27 Ken Nkuba Flag of Belgium (civil).svg RB / RM / RW 21 January 2002 (age 23)20242028 [12] Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Charleroi €3.75M320
34Adrián Palacios Flag of Venezuela (state).svg CB / LB 7 June 2004 (age 21)20242028 [13] Flag of Colombia.svg Deportivo Cali €1.7M30
44 Josue Kongolo Flag of Belgium (civil).svg CB 13 April 2006 (age 19)20232028 [14] Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Youth Sector N/A90
77 Zakaria El Ouahdi Flag of Morocco.svg RB / LB / RM 31 December 2001 (age 23)20232028 [15] Flag of Belgium (civil).svg RWDM Brussels €2.5M709
Midfielders
8 Bryan Heynen (c) Flag of Belgium (civil).svg CM / DM 6 February 1997 (age 28)20152029 [16] Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Youth Sector N/A33735
17 Patrik Hrosovsky Flag of Slovenia.svg CM / DM 22 April 1992 (age 33)2019 [17] 2026 [18] Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Viktoria Plzen €5.2M23518
20 Konstantinos Karetsas Flag of Greece.svg AM 19 November 2007 (age 17)20242027 [19] Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Youth Sector N/A463
21 Ibrahima Sory Bangoura Flag of Guinea.svg DM 5 January 2004 (age 21)20242028 [20] Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Youth Sector N/A410
24 Nikolas Sattlberger Flag of Austria.svg DM / CM / CB 18 January 2004 (age 21)20242029 [21] Flag of Austria.svg Rapid Wien €2.5M331
38 Daan Heymans Flag of Belgium (civil).svg AM / CM / RW 15 June 1999 (age 26)20252029 [22] Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Charleroi €3M20
- Aziz Ouattara Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg DM / CB / RB 4 January 2001 (age 24)20222026 [23] Flag of Sweden.svg Hammarby €2M483
Forwards
7 Jarne Steuckers Flag of Belgium (civil).svg RW / LW / AM 4 February 2002 (age 23)20242028 [24] Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Sint-Truiden €800K459
9 Oh Hyeon-gyu Flag of South Korea.svg ST / RW / LW 12 April 2001 (age 24)20242028 [25] Flag of Scotland.svg Celtic €2.7M4413
10 Junya Ito Flag of Japan.svg RW / ST / RM 9 March 1993 (age 32)2025 [26] 2028 Flag of France.svg Reims €2.8M14429
11 Luca Oyen Flag of Belgium (civil).svg LW / AM 14 March 2003 (age 22)20202027 [27] Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Youth Sector N/A833
14 Yira Sor Flag of Niger.svg LW / RW 24 July 2000 (age 25)20232027 [28] Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Slavia Praha €6.5M791
23 Aaron Bibout Flag of Cameroon.svg ST 9 September 2004 (age 21)20252029 [29] Flag of Sweden.svg Västerås €2.2M00
29Robin Mirisola Flag of Belgium (civil).svg ST / RW 8 December 2006 (age 18)20232027 [30] Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Youth Sector N/A00
30 Ayumu Yokoyama Flag of Japan.svg LW / ST 4 March 2003 (age 22)20252029 [31] Flag of England.svg Birmingham €3M91
32 Noah Adedeji-Sternberg Flag of Belgium (civil).svg LW / RW / AM 19 June 2005 (age 20)20242026 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Youth Sector N/A465
99 Tolu Arokodare Flag of Niger.svg ST 23 November 2000 (age 24)20232027 [32] Flag of France.svg Amiens €5M11141

Transfers

Summer 2025

In

DatePos.PlayerAgeMoving fromFeeNotesSource
1 July 2025 AM Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Daan Heymans 26 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Charleroi €3M [22]
1 July 2025 LW Flag of Japan.svg Ayumu Yokoyama 22 Flag of England.svg Birmingham €3MRedeem after loan [31]
9 July 2025 GK Flag of Austria.svg Tobias Lawal 25 Flag of Austria.svg LASK €3.2M [4]
24 July 2025 ST Flag of Cameroon.svg Aaron Bibout 20 Flag of Sweden.svg Västerås €2.2M [29]
9 August 2025 RW Flag of Japan.svg Junya Ito 32 Flag of France.svg Stade Reims €2.8M [26]

Out

DatePos.PlayerAgeMoving toFeeNotesSource
1 June 2025 GK Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Mike Penders 19 Flag of England.svg Chelsea End of loan
1 July 2025 CM Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Thomas Claes21 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Zulte Waregem €300K [33]
7 July 2025 LW Flag of Ghana.svg Christopher Bonsu Baah 20 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Qadsiah €17M [34]
8 September 2025 ST Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Andi Zeqiri 26 Flag of Poland.svg Widzew Łódź Transfer [35]

Pre-season and friendlies

28 June 2025 Friendly Eendracht Termien Flag of Belgium (civil).svg 0-4 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Genk Genk, Belgium
13:00 CEST (UTC+2) Report
Stadium: Terrain ‘t Heke
4 July 2025 Friendly Fortuna Flag of the Netherlands.svg 0-1 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Genk Nederweert-Eind, Netherlands
19:00 CEST (UTC+2) Report
19 July 2025 Friendly Genk Flag of Belgium (civil).svg 1-1 Flag of Spain.svg Rayo Vallecano Genk, Belgium
18:30 CEST (UTC+2) Report Stadium: Cegeka Arena
28 July 2025 Friendly Genk Flag of Belgium (civil).svg 6-0 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Eupen Dolhain, Belgium
11:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report Stadium: Stade Lambert Fourir

Competitions

Overview

CompetitionFirst matchLast matchStarting roundFinal positionRecord
PldWDLGFGAGDWin %
Belgian Pro League 27 July 2025May 2026Matchday 1TBD7223910−1028.57
Belgian Cup TBDTBDSeventh roundTBD000000+0!
UEFA Europa League 21 August 2025TBDPlay-off roundTBD000000+0!
Total7223910−1028.57

Source: Competitions

Belgian Pro League

League table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
12 Antwerp 824299010Qualification for the Europe play-offs
13 Cercle Brugge 8233109+19Qualification for the Relegation play-offs
14 Genk 8224101228
15 OH Leuven 821571697
16 Dender EH 8026213112
Updated to match(es) played on 24 September 2025. Source: Jupiler Pro League (in Dutch)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away matches won; 6) Away goal difference; 7) Away goals scored; 8) Play-off. [36]

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
7223910 −1811144 011256 −1

Results by round

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930
GroundAHAAHHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA
ResultLDLWLWD
Position131214810910
Updated to match(es) played on 17 September 2025. Source: KRC Genk
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

27 July 20251 Club Brugge 2–1 Genk Bruges, Belgium
18:30 CEST (UTC+2) Report Stadium: Jan Breydelstadion
Attendance: 24,073
Referee: Jasper Vergoote
3 August 20252 Genk 1–1 Antwerp Genk, Belgium
13:30 CEST (UTC+2) Report
Stadium: Cegeka Arena
Attendance: 18,030
Referee: Lawrence Fisher
10 August 20253 Standard Liège 2–1 Genk Liege, Belgium
18:30 CEST (UTC+2)
Report Stadium: Stade Maurice Dufrasne
Attendance: 21,575
Referee: Nathan Verboomen
15 August 20254 OH Leuven 1–2 Genk Leuven, Belgium
20:45 CEST (UTC+2) Report
Stadium: Den Dreef
Attendance: 8,814
Referee: Lothar D'Hondt
31 August 20256 Genk 3–2 Zulte Waregem Genk, Belgium
19:15 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Cegeka Arena
Attendance: 17,060
Referee: Bram Van Driessche
14 September 20257 Anderlecht 1–1 Genk Anderlecht, Belgium
18:30 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Lotto Park
Attendance: 20,500
Referee: Lothar D'hondt
17 September 20255 Genk 0–1 Charleroi Genk, Belgium
20:30 CEST (UTC+2) Report
Stadium: Cegeka Arena
Attendance: 13,230
Referee: Simon Bourdeaud'Hui
21 September 20258 Genk v Union SG Genk, Belgium
19:30 CEST (UTC+2) Report Stadium: Cegeka Arena

Belgian Cup

UEFA Europa League

Play-off round

21 August 2025 (2025-08-21)First leg Lech Poznań Flag of Poland.svg 1–5 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Genk Poznań Stadium, Poznań
20:30Report [37]
Attendance: 25,443 [38]
Referee: Donatas Rumšas (Lithuania)
28 August 2025 (2025-08-28)Second leg Genk Flag of Belgium (civil).svg 1–2
(6–3 agg.)
Flag of Poland.svg Lech Poznań Cegeka Arena, Genk
20:00
Report [39]
Attendance: 12,913 [40]
Referee: Davide Massa (Italy)

League phase

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
6 Flag of Germany.svg VfB Stuttgart 110021+13 [a] Advance to round of 16 (seeded)
9 Flag of Romania.svg FCSB 110010+13 [b] Advance to knockout phase play-offs (seeded)
9 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Genk 110010+13 [b]
9 Flag of France.svg Lyon 110010+13 [b]
9 Flag of Portugal (official).svg Porto 110010+13 [b]
Updated to match(es) played on 25 September 2025. Source: UEFA [41]
Rules for classification: League phase tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. Away goals scored: Ludogorets Razgrad 2, Roma 2, SC Freiburg 0, Lille 0, VfB Stuttgart 0.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Away goals scored: FCSB 1, Genk 1, Lyon 1, Porto 1, Aston Villa 0, Braga 0.
Round12345678
GroundAHHAHAAH
Result
Position
Points
Source: UEFA
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

  Win  Draw  Loss  Fixtures

25 September 2025 (2025-09-25)1 Rangers Flag of Scotland.svg v Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Genk Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow
21:00 (20:00 UTC+1)Report [42]
2 October 2025 (2025-10-02)2 Genk Flag of Belgium (civil).svg v Flag of Hungary.svg Ferencváros Cegeka Arena, Genk
21:00Report [43]
23 October 2025 (2025-10-23)3 Genk Flag of Belgium (civil).svg v Flag of Spain.svg Real Betis Cegeka Arena, Genk
18:45Report [44]
6 November 2025 (2025-11-06)4 Braga Flag of Portugal (official).svg v Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Genk Estádio Municipal, Braga
21:00 (20:00 UTC+0)Report [45]
27 November 2025 (2025-11-27)5 Genk Flag of Belgium (civil).svg v Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Basel Cegeka Arena, Genk
21:00Report [46]
11 December 2025 (2025-12-11)6 Midtjylland Flag of Denmark.svg v Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Genk MCH Arena, Herning
18:45Report [47]
22 January 2026 (2026-01-22)7 Utrecht Flag of the Netherlands.svg v Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Genk Stadion Galgenwaard, Utrecht
21:00Report [48]
29 January 2026 (2026-01-29)8 Genk Flag of Belgium (civil).svg v Flag of Sweden.svg Malmö FF Cegeka Arena, Genk
21:00Report [49]

References

  1. "First Team". KRC Genk.
  2. "KRC Genk trekt Hendrick Van Crombrugge aan" (in Dutch). KRC Genk.
  3. "Hendrik Van Crombrugge extendens contract at KRC Genk until 2027". KRC Genk.
  4. 1 2 "Official: Tobias Lawal (25) new goalkeeper of KRC Genk". KRC Genk.
  5. "Lucca Brughmans extends contract till 2028". KRC Genk.
  6. "Goalkeeper Brent Stevens back home". KRC Genk.
  7. "Mujaid Sadick extends contract at KRC Genk until 2028". KRC Genk.
  8. "Matt Smets (20) signs for four seasons at KRC Genk". KRC Genk.
  9. "Joris Kayembe will strengthen Genk's defence". KRC Genk.
  10. "Ecuadorian international Yaimar Medina (20) signs with KRC Genk". KRC Genk.
  11. "Brad Manguelle extends his contract to 2027". KRC Genk.
  12. "Official: Ken Nbuka signs contract at KRC Genk until June 2028". KRC Genk.
  13. "Venezuelan Adrián Palacios (20) signs 4-year contract at KRC Genk". KRC Genk.
  14. "Jouse Kongolo extends contract until 2028: "No better place to grow further"". KRC Genk.
  15. "Zakaria El Ouahdi extends contract at KRC Genk until 2028". KRC Genk.
  16. "Bryan Heynen extends contract until 2029: 'Genkie for life'". KRC Genk.
  17. "Patrik Hrosovsky joins Genk". KRC Genk.
  18. "Patrik Hrosovsky extends contract to 2026". KRC Genk.
  19. "Konstantinos Karetsas extends contract until 2027". KRC Genk.
  20. "Ibrahima Bangoura (20) extends contract at Genk until 2028". KRC Genk.
  21. "Austrian promising international Nikolas Sattlberger (20) signs for five seasons with KRC Genk". KRC Genk.
  22. 1 2 "Daan Heymans is KRC Genk's first signing of the summer". KRC Genk.
  23. "Welcome Aziz Ouattara!". KRC Genk.
  24. "Official: Jarne Steuckers (22) signs for 4 seasons at KRC Genk". KRC Genk.
  25. "South Korea Hyeon-gyu Oh signs for four seasons at KRC Genk". KRC Genk.
  26. 1 2 "Welcome home, Junya". KRC Genk.
  27. "Luca Oyen extends his contract through 2027". KRC Genk.
  28. "KRC Genk signs Yira Sor". KRC Genk.
  29. 1 2 "Aaron Bibout (20) joins KRC Genk". KRC Genk.
  30. "Genk youth product Robin Mirisola (17) extend contract until 2027". KRC Genk.
  31. 1 2 "Ayumu Yokoyama (22) stays in Genk". KRC Genk.
  32. "The young Nigerian forward Tolu Arokodare (22) will strengthen Genk's attack". KRC Genk.
  33. "Thomas Claers trekt naar Zulte Waregem" (in Dutch). KRC Genk.
  34. "Bonsu Baah trekt naar Al Qadsiah FC" (in Dutch). KRC Genk.
  35. "Andi Zeqiri 2029!" (in Polish). Widzew Łódź. 8 September 2025. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  36. "Bondsreglement Titel 7: Competities" [Association Rules Title 7: Competitions](PDF). Royal Belgian Football Association. p. 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 September 2020.
  37. "Lech Poznań vs Genk". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  38. "Lech Poznań vs. Genk" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 21 August 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  39. "Genk vs Lech Poznań". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  40. "Genk vs. Lech Poznań" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  41. "League phase table". UEFA . Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  42. "Rangers vs. Genk". UEFA. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  43. "Genk vs. Ferencváros". UEFA. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  44. "Genk vs. Real Betis". UEFA. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  45. "Braga vs. Genk". UEFA. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  46. "Genk vs. Basel". UEFA. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  47. "Midtjylland vs. Genk". UEFA. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  48. "Utrecht vs. Genk". UEFA. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  49. "Genk vs. Malmö". UEFA. Retrieved 30 August 2025.