K.R.C. Genk goalkeeper Hendrik Van Crombrugge has been training alone at home for weeks after the club informed him he is no longer part of their sporting plans. The 33-year-old has not visited the club's facilities for almost three months, as revealed in a report by Sporza Voetbal on Monday.
Van Crombrugge held a conversation with the sporting director at the start of pre-season. "I had a conversation with the sporting director at the start of the preparation," the goalkeeper confirmed. He was told the club would move forward with other goalkeepers. Since then, he has received a weekly training program from Genk but executes it individually at home. His salary continues to be paid correctly each month.
What does this mean for the goalkeeping situation?
The decision to sideline Van Crombrugge is part of a broader reshuffle between the posts. The club is promoting young keeper Lucca Brughmans, effectively guiding the experienced Van Crombrugge toward the exit. His contract remains active, but he is no longer part of the daily training group. This development comes as Genk navigates an inconsistent start to the league campaign. The team sits seventh in the Jupiler Pro League with eight points from five games and a goal difference of plus four.
Why did Van Crombrugge choose this approach?
The former Eupen and Anderlecht player had already decided to retire at the end of this season. When the club ended his role, he opted not to train with the reserves but to follow an individual plan. "I haven't been to the club for 3 months," he stated. A move away last summer was an option, but he declined a potential transfer to Saudi Arabia. He wanted to guarantee regular contact with his children and questioned whether the contract would materially change his life.
What does the future hold now?
For the immediate future, Van Crombrugge is considering his options. He is thinking about a possible early retirement in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Genk's focus is on the league, where they trail leaders AA Gent by seven points. The next opportunity to close that gap is a direct showdown: a home match against that same Gent on September 13. Fans can track the build-up to that key fixture on our fixtures and standings pages.
What is K.R.C. Genk's current form?
The Van Crombrugge situation unfolds against the backdrop of a mixed start to the season. With two wins, two draws, and one loss (DWDWL), there is room for improvement. The team has scored twelve goals but also conceded eight. The coming weeks, starting with the top-of-the-table clash, will be important for the campaign's trajectory. The full squad details are available on our squad page. K.R.C. Genk's next official match is the home game against AA Gent on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
