Maxim De Cuyper credits harsh youth lessons for Premier League rise

Maxim De Cuyper has transformed from a teenager on the brink of quitting to a regular for the Rode Duivels and a key left‑back at Brighton & Hove Albion. His current season sees him start every competitive match, already contributing a goal and two assists, a stark contrast to the joy‑less early years he describes in a recent HUMO interview.

At 25, the Belgian left‑back has cemented his place in the Premier League, featuring in thirty matches last season with two goals and three assists. This campaign he has maintained that consistency, starting the first five league duels and matching his assist tally while adding another strike.

His decisive third goal in Brighton’s 3‑2 League Cup victory over Manchester United underscored his growing influence. The strike arrived after a season of steady development and earned praise from teammates.

From Brugge academy to professional breakthrough

De Cuyper began his football journey at eight, moving from Heist to the youth ranks of Club Brugge. He recalls the long drives with his father as a necessary evil, with early training centred on playing with friends.

At the U18 level the club expected adult‑like professionalism, a shift that hit him hard. “I seriously hit my teeth,” he tells HUMO, describing a half‑year without any match time. The seriousness stripped away his enjoyment and he even contemplated quitting.

A hard‑line trainer intensified the pressure, prompting De Cuyper to consider putting his boots aside. His father, a former Heist player, urged him on, saying, “I didn’t sacrifice all those years to see you quit. Keep fighting!” De Cuyper now credits that intervention for his perseverance.

Path to the national team and England

A loan spell at Westerlo allowed him to develop further and earn promotion to the Jupiler Pro League. He returned to Club Brugge, broke into the first team and soon attracted the attention of the national selectors.

De Cuyper earned his first cap for the Rode Duivels in June 2024 and has since become a fixture in the squad.

In the summer of 2025 he signed a five‑year deal with Brighton & Hove Albion, quickly establishing himself in the Premier League. His 30 appearances, two goals and three assists last season laid the foundation for his current form.

He admits he never saw himself as a standout, recalling, “No one kept an eye on me; others had to convince me of my ability.” That modest self‑view makes his ascent from a modest youth prospect to an international regular all the more remarkable.