Kortrijk are back in the Belgian Pro League after a one year hiatus. Under young head coach Michiel Jonckheere the side rebuilt and finished runners up in the second tier of Belgian football. They have been one of the more active sides in the league so far, a real sign of ambition that was lacking in previous seasons when they were in the top flight. The influx of some intriguing young attacking talent sees the side position themselves as one of the more interesting teams to watch this upcoming season.
Transfers in: Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge), Boris Lambert (Willem II), Nayel Mehssatou (Standard Liege), Suf Podgoreanu (Maccabi Haifa), Goduine Koyalipou (Lens, loan), Ken Masui (Nagoya Grampus, loan), Harrison Murray-Campbell (Chelsea, loan)
Transfers out: Ilan Hurtevent (Union St Gilloise), Mouhamed Gueye (HJK Helsinki), Jonathan Afolabi (Shamrock Rovers), Csanad Vilmos Denes (Debrecen), Mohamed Boussadia (US Monastir), Kyan Himpe (Lierse, loan), Youssef Challouk (free)
Key player: Thierry Ambrose
Ambrose is a known quantity in Belgian football, but he has yet to really deliver at the top level. He has shown signs, and now the 29-year-old former Manchester City academy man needs to deliver for Kortrijk. Last season he was key in their promotion, with 15 goals and 12 assists. If he can hit 10 goals, Kortrijk should be able to finish comfortably in mid table. With the way the side is currently set up, he appears to be their biggest goal threat.
Young player to watch: Shandre Campbell
Campbell never really got a chance with the Club Brugge first team, but now he moves to Kortrijk with the chance to get some real game time. The side have had some exciting wingers in the past and Campbell could be the next one. He showed signs of what he can do for the Club Brugge second team during the 2024/2025 season, with nine goals in 19 games in the second tier. Last season he played 16 games for the Club Brugge first team, scoring two goals. He could well prove to be a really clever signing by Kortrijk if he lives up to his potential this season.
