How a mid-tier academy graduate became Belgium's most decorated modern midfielder
In short: From the bankruptcy of Lommel United to the heights of the Champions League, Hans Vanaken’s career is a masterclass in sustained excellence. He has not only dominated the Belgian Pro League but has recently equaled legendary records, proving that intelligence and vision can outshine raw athleticism.
Hans Vanaken's ascent began under difficult circumstances. After the bankruptcy of Lommel United's youth system, the future midfielder moved to the PSV Eindhoven academy in 2002. He eventually returned to a revamped Lommel, making his senior professional debut in 2010. His breakthrough came in July 2013 with Lokeren, where a two-goal performance against defending champions Anderlecht immediately signaled his arrival on the top flight.
By May 2015, a transfer to Club Brugge began a period of unprecedented domestic dominance. Vanaken became the engine of a side that secured multiple Belgian Pro League titles, including a remarkable run of three successive championships between 2020 and 2022. His individual accolades followed this team success; he secured the Belgian Golden Shoe in 2019 and achieved the rare feat of winning back-to-back Golden Shoe awards in 2019 and 2020, the first player to do so since Jan Ceulemans in 1986.
Beyond domestic borders, Vanaken has proven his worth on the global stage. He has scored against giants like Real Madrid in the Champions League and famously netted a long-range goal from 31.1 metres against the United States in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. At 33 years and 316 days old, he became the second-oldest Belgian to score in a World Cup tournament. His reputation as a highly intelligent, ball-retaining orchestrator has earned him praise from elite managers like Pep Guardiola and Vincent Kompany.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Hans Vanaken
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