Following a summer of significant transition that saw the departure of head coach Nicky Hayen and record-breaking transfer sales, KRC Genk enters 2026/27 under returning manager Jess Thorup with a squad brimming with high-potential young talent, a club-record striker acquisition, and the ambition to reclaim their place among Belgium’s elite. This is the definitive guide to the current Blue and White squad.
Technical Leadership & Coaching Profile
Manager: Jess Thorup
Thorup was appointed in July 2026 on a three-year contract, returning to the club where he had a brief spell in charge during the 2020-21 season. The 56-year-old Danish coach replaces Nicky Hayen, who departed unexpectedly for Burnley during pre-season preparations. Thorup brings a wealth of experience, having won Danish league titles with both FC Midtjylland and FC Copenhagen, managed FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga, and most recently lifted the Egyptian Super Cup with Al Ahly. He turned down concrete interest from English Championship clubs to return to the Cegeka Arena.
Head of Football Dimitri de Condé explained the appointment: “Jess is a coach with experience and a clear football philosophy. He knows our club, he knows Belgian football, and he knows what it takes to win trophies”.
Tactical Philosophy
Thorup has implemented a 4-2-3-1 formation that prioritises attacking football, aligning with Genk’s traditional philosophy. The system relies on Bryan Heynen as the midfield anchor, with Junya Ito providing experience and creativity on the right flank, and new club-record signing Rafiu Durosinmi leading the line. The early-season evidence shows an attacking side: Genk have scored 13 goals in six matches (2.17 per game) but conceded nine, reflecting the entertaining but occasionally vulnerable nature of their play.
Preferred Formations
4-2-3-1 in possession.
Strategic Transfer Activity
Genk’s summer window was defined by two record-breaking sales and significant reinvestment. The departures of Kos Karetsas and Lucca Brughmans shattered the club’s transfer record twice. Brughmans, the 18-year-old goalkeeper, signed for Liverpool but remains on loan at Genk for the season. The arrivals were headlined by the club-record €10.5 million capture of Nigerian striker Rafiu Durosinmi from Pisa, a deal that ranks among the top six in Pro League history.
Table A: Summer Major Transfer Influx
| Player | Position | Former Club | Fee Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rafiu Durosinmi | Striker | Pisa | €10.5m (club record) |
| Jeppe Erenbjerg | Attacking Midfielder | Zulte Waregem | Undisclosed |
| Benjamin Tahirović | Defensive Midfielder | Brøndby | Loan (option to buy) |
| Milan Roganović | Right-Back | Partizan Belgrade | Undisclosed |
| Kevin Amaro | Right-Back | — | Undisclosed |
| Yaimar Medina | Left-Back | — | Undisclosed |
The First-Team Roster
Goalkeepers
Lucca Brughmans (#28): The 18-year-old goalkeeper became the most expensive sale in Genk’s history when Liverpool signed him this summer, but he remains on loan at the Cegeka Arena for the 2026/27 season. Standing 2.00 metres tall, Brughmans has started six matches, conceding nine goals and keeping two clean sheets. Thorup has spoken of his maturity: “It’s striking how calm and focused he is with this, especially for his age. He is fully focused on KRC Genk and hungry to help the team”.
Tobe Leysen (#1): The 24-year-old Belgian goalkeeper provides genuine competition for the starting role, his market value of €5.00m reflecting his standing within the squad.
Tobias Lawal (#26): The 26-year-old Austrian offers experienced depth in the goalkeeping department.
Defenders
Matte Smets (#6): The 22-year-old centre-back is Genk’s most valuable defensive asset at €10.00m-€12.00m. His composure on the ball and reading of the game make him a cornerstone of Thorup’s defensive structure.
Josué Kongolo (#44): The 20-year-old defender has started all six matches, contributing two goals — an impressive return from centre-back. His physical presence and aerial dominance have been notable in the early weeks.
Milan Roganović (#25): The Montenegro international signed a five-year contract until 2031 after arriving from Partizan Belgrade, where he made 69 appearances at just 20 years old. Described as a “traditional full-back with a clear defensive focus,” his discipline and work ethic offer balance on the right flank.
Zakaria El Ouahdi (#77): The Moroccan right-back is Genk’s most valuable defender at €14.5m, his attacking thrust and crossing ability providing a significant outlet on the right.
Kevin Amaro (#20): The Uruguayan’s versatility across right-back, centre-back, and midfield makes him a valuable tactical option for Thorup.
Joris Kayembe (#18): The 32-year-old DR Congo international provides experienced cover on the left side of defence, his 410 minutes this season underlining his continued importance.
Yaimar Medina (#19): The 21-year-old Ecuadorian offers pace and attacking intent from left-back.
Christiaan Ravych (#5): The 24-year-old provides reliable rotation coverage across the backline.
Midfielders
Bryan Heynen (#8): The club captain and midfield anchor remains the heartbeat of the squad. At 29, Heynen has accumulated 443 minutes across five starts this season, contributing one goal. His experience and leadership are invaluable within a youthful squad, and his understanding of Genk’s philosophy is unmatched after more than a decade at the club.
Ibrahima Sory Bangoura (#21): The 22-year-old Guinean has started all five league matches, accumulating 424 minutes. His market value of €5.20m-€6.00m reflects his emergence as one of the squad’s most valuable assets. His physical presence and progressive passing make him a dominant force in the engine room.
Benjamin Tahirović (#4): The Bosnia and Herzegovina international arrived on loan from Brøndby with an option to make the move permanent for four seasons. The 23-year-old brings Champions League pedigree from his time at Roma and Ajax, and 32 caps for his country including appearances at the 2026 World Cup. “I’m a player who isn’t afraid to take responsibility,” Tahirović said. “As a defensive midfielder, I want to bring balance, win my duels, organise the team and help us control games”.
Nikolas Sattlberger (#24): The 22-year-old Austrian provides tactical discipline and versatility across defensive midfield and centre-back.
Daan Heymans (#38): The 27-year-old attacking midfielder has contributed to the attacking output from a deeper position, his experience adding a different dimension to Thorup’s options.
Jeppe Erenbjerg (#11): The Danish attacking midfielder arrived from Zulte Waregem as Thorup’s second summer signing, bringing creativity and technical quality to the attacking midfield role.
August De Wannemacker (#56): The 17-year-old academy graduate has earned first-team opportunities, representing the club’s continued commitment to youth development.
Forwards
Rafiu Durosinmi (#17): The club-record signing from Pisa and the focal point of Genk’s attack. The 23-year-old Nigerian striker scored 35 goals and provided 10 assists in 86 appearances for Viktoria Plzen before his move to Italy. At 1.93 metres tall, his physical profile and finishing instincts offer Genk a genuine penalty-box presence. “I want to be important for the team from day one, score goals and give everything in every match,” Durosinmi said. “I spoke with Paul [Onuachu] about Genk. He told me a lot of good things about the club, the supporters and how players are supported here”. He has scored four goals in five league appearances this season.
Junya Ito (#10): The 33-year-old Japanese winger remains a key creative outlet, contributing one goal in 450 minutes this season. His experience across the J.League and Belgian Pro League adds invaluable perspective to the attacking line, and his technical quality remains evident.
Noah Adedeji-Sternberg (#32): The 21-year-old Belgian winger is one of the squad’s most exciting young talents, his market value of €4.00m-€5.10m reflecting his potential. His direct running and creativity from wide areas offer a constant threat.
Jarne Steuckers (#7): The 24-year-old winger has contributed to the attacking output, his technical quality and set-piece delivery providing a different dimension.
Ayumu Yokoyama (#30): The 23-year-old Japanese winger offers pace and directness in transition, his development continuing within the first-team environment.
Aaron Bibout (#23): The 21-year-old Cameroonian striker provides physical presence and finishing instincts, his market value of €3.50m reflecting his potential.
Robin Mirisola (#29): The 19-year-old Belgian forward represents the next generation of attacking talent, his development continuing within the first-team squad.
Leadership Group & Squad Regulations
Club Captain: Bryan Heynen
The 29-year-old midfielder wears the armband and embodies the standards Thorup demands. His decade-long association with Genk, from academy graduate to captain, provides essential continuity for a squad integrating numerous new arrivals.
The Leadership Committee
Junya Ito and Joris Kayembe serve as senior voices alongside Heynen, their combined experience of international and European football providing essential guidance through a transitional campaign.
Homegrown Quota Check
With Lucca Brughmans, August De Wannemacker, and several academy graduates in the first-team squad, Genk maintains a strong commitment to internal development. The club’s reputation for producing elite young talent remains a cornerstone of its identity, as evidenced by the record sales of Karetsas and Brughmans.
Financial & Contractual Health
Financial Balance Overview
Genk’s summer business generated a transfer profit of approximately €41.30 million, one of the highest in the club’s history. The record sales of Kos Karetsas and Lucca Brughmans provided the financial foundation for the €10.5 million investment in Rafiu Durosinmi, while maintaining the club’s commitment to financial sustainability.
Contract Red Alerts
Securing the long-term futures of key young assets like Matte Smets and Ibrahima Sory Bangoura will be a priority, with both attracting attention following their impressive early-season performances. The option to make Benjamin Tahirović’s loan permanent provides an opportunity to secure a midfielder of significant quality on favorable terms.
The Academy Pipeline & Loan Tracker
Breakout Talents to Watch
Josué Kongolo (#44) has started all six matches at just 20 years old, contributing two goals from centre-back. August De Wannemacker (#56) has earned first-team opportunities at 17, representing the next generation of Genk academy talent.
Notable Out on Loan
Lucca Brughmans remains at Genk on loan from Liverpool for the 2026/27 season, a unique arrangement that allows the young goalkeeper to continue his development in familiar surroundings while his parent club secures his long-term future.
Set-Piece Specialists & FPL Cheat Sheet
Penalties: Rafiu Durosinmi (First Choice) / Bryan Heynen (Second Choice).
Direct Free-Kicks: Junya Ito / Jarne Steuckers.
Corners & Crosses: Junya Ito / Jarne Steuckers.
Final Outlook: Navigating the Tactical Horizon
KRC Genk enters 2026/27 with genuine ambition and a squad brimming with potential. The appointment of Jess Thorup brings experience and a proven winning mentality, while the record investment in Rafiu Durosinmi signals the club’s determination to compete for honours.
The early-season evidence is mixed but encouraging. Genk have scored 13 goals in six matches, with Durosinmi already contributing four, but the defensive record of nine conceded reflects the need for greater solidity. The 4-0 demolition of Beveren and the 3-2 victory over Westerlo demonstrated the attacking potential within Thorup’s system, while the goalless draw at Anderlecht showcased the resilience required for a title challenge.
The challenges ahead are substantial. The fixture list will test squad depth as the season progresses, and the departure of key figures like Karetsas and Brughmans has left gaps that the new arrivals must fill. But the ingredients for a successful campaign are present: a tactically astute coach in Thorup, a goalscoring focal point in Durosinmi, a captain of immense experience in Heynen, and a squad that blends emerging academy talent with proven Belgian Pro League quality. The Cegeka Arena faithful, who have witnessed the club’s evolution from title contenders to a sustainable force in Belgian football, are hoping that this is the season Genk reclaim their place among the elite.
