Antwerp weigh surprise comeback for Swiss striker Michael Frey

After a disappointing spell at Queens Park Rangers, Swiss striker Michael Frey could be heading back to Belgium as Antwerp weigh a surprise comeback. The 31‑year‑old, now a free agent, logged nine goals in 31 appearances for QPR before his contract ended, prompting the club’s interest.

His time at QPR never matched his earlier form. After joining the English side in January 2024, Frey managed only one goal in his first nine games and finished the 2024/2025 campaign with nine strikes from 31 outings. The lack of goals saw him drop down the pecking order and eventually leave for Grasshopper in Switzerland.

Frey’s record in Belgium tells a different story. After arriving permanently at Antwerp following a loan at Beveren, he scored 24 goals in 46 matches during his debut season, helping the Belgian side during a title‑winning campaign. The following season he added nine goals from 23 games before being displaced.

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Vincent Janssen took over the starting role after Frey’s nine‑goal return, prompting the Swiss forward to seek a move. Janssen has since departed Antwerp, leaving a vacancy for a physical presence up front that the club reportedly values. The need for a target man aligns with Frey’s playing style.

HNB reported that Antwerp are actively considering bringing Frey back, despite the striker having left the club on less than ideal terms. It remains unclear whether Frey is willing to return, as his exit was marked by a desire to leave after being replaced. The club’s interest suggests they see him as a solution to their attacking needs.

The Swiss forward began his career with Young Boys, moved to Lille in 2014 and experienced brief spells at Luzern, FC Zurich, Fenerbahçe and Nürnberg before rediscovering form in the Belgian Pro League. On loan at Waasland‑Beveren in 2020/2021 he netted 17 goals in 31 games, a performance that earned Antwerp a permanent deal. Subsequent moves to Schalke 04 and QPR failed to replicate that success, leaving him free after a short stint back in Switzerland.

The contrast between Frey’s prolific Belgian past and his recent struggles abroad underscores why Antwerp’s gamble could benefit both parties. Should the club secure his signature, the striker gains a familiar platform to revive his career, while Antwerp adds an experienced, physical forward ahead of the new season.