KRC Genk has ended the summer transfer window with a new outgoing record. The Limburg club sold goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans to Liverpool for €35 million, as reported by P-magazine. The 18-year-old keeper will remain on loan at Genk for this season. The club currently sits seventh in the Jupiler Pro League with seven points from four matches and boasts a +4 goal difference.
How much has Genk earned this summer?
With the Brughmans transfer, the total income for this summer reaches €82.5 million. Earlier, Kos Karetsas also left the club, moving to Borussia Dortmund for €33 million. According to P-magazine, Brughmans is now the second most expensive outgoing transfer from the Belgian league this summer, after Christos Tzolis' €40 million move from Club Brugge to Arsenal.
Genk's transfer operations are running at full capacity. Head of football operations Dimitri De Condé is constantly managing these deals. The sale of Brughmans means Genk has broken its own transfer record for the second time this season. The club now has a significant budget for reinforcements but trails league leaders Charleroi by five points in the table.
Who will replace Brughmans in goal?
Genk already has a target to replace Brughmans. According to P-magazine, Tobe Leysen is a serious candidate to return to the Cegeka Arena. The 24-year-old goalkeeper left for OH Leuven three years ago and is now in the final year of his contract there, having lost his starting spot.
The club is not looking for just a benchwarmer, but a keeper who can immediately compete for the number one shirt. With Tobias Lawal, Genk currently has a backup, but after Brughmans' departure, a new first choice is a priority. A return for Leysen, a familiar face, is seen as a logical solution. The full squad is available on our squad page.
How is Jong Genk performing in the Challenger Pro League?
Genk's reserve team is also achieving good results. Jong Genk beat Sporting Hasselt 3-0 last Saturday, as reported by Sporza. Myeongjun Kim and Kiyan Achachbar (twice) scored the goals on the fourth matchday of the Challenger Pro League.
With this win, Jong Genk has six points from four matches. Promoted side Sporting Hasselt suffered its second consecutive defeat. Jong Genk's points tally is now level with their opponents from last weekend. The current table and statistics are always updated in our standings and stats overviews.
What are the details of the Liverpool transfer?
Brughmans' move to Liverpool was officially confirmed by the English club on Tuesday, according to Goal.com. The 18-year-old goalkeeper signed a long-term contract with the Reds but is immediately loaned back to Genk for the entire 2026-2027 season. Brughmans made his debut in April 2026 and played ten more league games afterwards.
According to the BBC, the transfer fee is £30 million, including add-ons. Brughmans captained Belgium's under-17 and under-19 youth teams. He played 32 matches for Genk's second team before breaking into the first team. He maintained his form this season, playing in all four league matches so far. Genk's next chance to pick up points is on September 13, a home match against KAA Gent, who are third in the table.
