From Manchester City to Club NXT: the next Belgian raw diamonds to watch

The Jupiler Pro League has already lost several top talents this summer, but their successors are ready to step up. Belgian clubs have turned to young players from their academies and loan networks to fill the void, with Manchester City’s 16-year-old winger linked to Club NXT among the headline names. The league’s clubs have identified raw diamonds at every level, from AA Gent’s Ibrahima Cissé to Anderlecht’s Noa Ojea, each with the potential to become a million-euro transfer in the coming seasons.

At AA Gent, 18-year-old Ibrahima Cissé has already made his mark. The Senegalese striker scored on his debut last March against KV Mechelen, a moment that left him overwhelmed with emotion as he pointed to the sky, remembering his late parents. Cissé’s physical presence and finishing have earned him minutes under head coach Rik De Mil, though the Belgian Pro League side have also added Josué Vergara (18) and brought in Wilfried Kanga and Max Dean to bolster their attacking options. Cissé featured against LNZ Cherkasy, where his strength was evident in defence.

Anderlecht are banking on a trio of teenagers to lead their youth revival. Jayden Onia Seke (17), Joshua Nga Kana (17) and Noah Kalonji (17) all made their first-team debuts in European competition against Hammarby, with the first two starting the match. Head coach Vitor Bruno has shown faith in the youngsters, who impressed in their outing. The club also expect rapid progress from 16-year-old Noa Ojea, a left-footed winger tipped as a “Robben-type” talent for his predictable yet unstoppable actions. Ojea could make his debut this season.

Antwerp have high hopes for Jules Ahoka (20), a Congolese defensive midfielder signed from AC Normands in summer 2025. Ahoka made two appearances in last season’s European play-offs but is now expected to break through under Faris Haroun, who coached him at the youth level. The young midfielder’s physicality and potential have drawn comparisons to a future million-euro exit. Ecuadorian winger Carlos Mejia also caught the eye during pre-season.

At Beveren, Ferre Slegers (20) made a decisive impact at the end of last season, contributing both as a starter and substitute. The winger now faces stiff competition from Margaritha, Lokesa and Abrahams as he seeks to take the next step. Slegers’ versatility and creativity have made him a player to watch in the Belgian Pro League.

Club NXT’s Tian Koren has been identified as a standout talent by Club Brugge. The Slovenian midfielder, who joined last summer for over a million euros, made a strong impression in a substitute appearance against Union. Koren’s mobility, technical ability and speed have already drawn attention, and he is seen as a player with a bright future in Belgian football.

At Racing Genk, 18-year-old Lucca Brughmans has claimed the starting goalkeeper spot after impressive performances in the play-offs, where he kept five clean sheets. The club also expect contributions from Josué Kongolo (20), a central defender who starred in the Europe play-offs, and youngsters Elie Mbavu (16) and August De Wannemacker (17). De Wannemacker, in particular, drew attention with a VO2-max score of 68 during pre-season medicals, the highest among all players tested.

Standard have added Laurens Goemaere (20) from Club NXT, signing him until 2030. The midfielder, a Club Brugge youth product, is aiming to establish himself at Sclessin after overcoming an ankle injury suffered in early July. Goemaere is part of a new wave of talent emerging from the Belgian top flight.

STVV’s Nelson Ishiwatari (21) is a Japanese midfielder adapting quickly to Belgian football. After impressing at Cerezo Osaka, where he was named Best Young Player in the western section of the J1 League, Ishiwatari is looking to make his mark in Europe. His technical qualities and adaptability have made him a player of interest.

Union’s Massiré Sylla (21) has slotted into the central defensive role vacated by Christian Burgess. The Senegalese defender impressed during pre-season and has already featured in the Champions’ play-offs. Sylla’s speed, strength and ball-playing ability make him a key asset, though his riskier style of play remains a talking point.

Westerlo’s David Amegnaglo (21) arrived from Freiburg’s second team, where he scored 13 goals last season. The German-born attacker, a Bayern Munich youth graduate, has shown glimpses of creativity and pace in pre-season, though he is expected to feature mainly as a substitute initially. His potential to influence games remains a key storyline.

Zulte Waregem’s Tristan Panduro (18) has impressed in pre-season, describing himself as a box-to-box midfielder capable of contributing both defensively and in attack. The Danish youngster is likely to feature as a substitute at first but has time to develop under the club’s guidance.