liverpool have agreed a deal to sign 18-year-old goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans from Belgian side KRC Genk, with the player set to remain at Genk on loan for the 2026–27 season and join liverpool ahead of the 2027–28 campaign.
- liverpool have agreed terms to sign 18-year-old goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans from KRC Genk.
- Brughmans will remain at Genk on loan for the 2026–27 season and is expected to join Liverpool ahead of 2027–28.
- reported transfer package varies across sources (around £30m up to a €35m package); no official fee breakdown was provided in the supplied sources.
What has been confirmed
Multiple reports — including those from BBC Sport and club-focused outlets — state Liverpool have completed an agreement for Brughmans. Sources say he has signed a long-term contract with Liverpool and will stay at Genk on loan for the coming season before moving to Merseyside in summer 2027.
Transfer terms and reported fees
News organisations give slightly different figures for the package. BBC Sport reports the deal could be worth “up to £30m including add-ons,” while several transfer outlets and Belgian reporters put the package nearer to €35m. Those numbers appear in the public reporting; neither club has published a detailed fee breakdown in the supplied sources.
Player profile and immediate plan
Brughmans is an 18-year-old goalkeeper who has progressed through youth systems in Belgium and the Netherlands before establishing himself at Genk. Reports note he has been a regular starter for Genk this season and has represented Belgium at youth levels. He is described in sources as a tall goalkeeper with promising attributes and senior experience for his age.
Why Liverpool have moved now
Reports frame this signing as long-term planning for Liverpool’s goalkeeping position. The club currently has Alisson Becker among its senior options, and other reported goalkeepers at the club include Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman and Vitezslav Jaros. Coverage notes Alisson’s contract situation and uncertainty around other keepers as context for recruiting a highly rated teenage prospect.
Where the reporting agrees and where it differs
- Agreement: All supplied sources agree Liverpool have reached terms with Genk to sign Brughmans and that he will remain on loan at Genk for 2026–27 before joining Liverpool in 2027.
- Disagreement: Reported financials vary — BBC Sport cites a package “up to £30m including add-ons,” while other outlets and transfer reporters have used a figure of about €35m. The supplied sources do not include an official Liverpool or Genk financial statement to reconcile the difference.
What this means for Liverpool and Brughmans
For Liverpool, the capture of a highly rated teenage goalkeeper reinforces the club’s stated recruitment focus on young talent and long-term succession planning for key positions. For Brughmans, remaining at Genk for another season offers an opportunity for continued senior minutes in a familiar environment before adapting to life at a major Premier League club.
Next steps and what to watch
- Completion of paperwork: Several reports noted medical clearance and formal steps were part of the process; the move is reported as agreed but observers will look for official confirmation from Liverpool and Genk detailing contract terms and fee structure.
- Loan season at Genk: How many appearances and what level of performance Brughmans produces in 2026–27 will shape expectations for his integration at Liverpool in 2027–28.
- Goalkeeping landscape at Liverpool: Developments around Alisson’s contract and the futures of other club keepers will determine whether Brughmans is brought in as a direct long-term successor or as part of an expanded goalkeeping group.
Timeline of reported developments (from supplied sources)
- 31 August 2026: Transfer reporters published updates indicating a verbal agreement and reported authorisation for a medical.
- 1 September 2026: BBC Sport and other outlets reported the agreement as completed, with multiple outlets publishing fee estimates (£30m up to €35m package reported in various sources).
Practical implications for fans
Supporters can expect an official announcement from Liverpool and/or Genk to provide definitive contract and fee details. In the meantime, the deal signals the club is securing a highly regarded young goalkeeper early and allowing him to continue developing with regular minutes in Belgium before arriving at Anfield in summer 2027.
“he will stay at Genk on loan for the 2026/27 season” — reported across multiple sources (BBC Sport; Goal.com; TheHardTackle)
We will update this story if official club statements or further documentary details about the fee and contract emerge.