Liverpool have signed Belgian goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans -Credit:Andrew Powell, Liverpool FC via Getty Images Liverpool have finalized the £30 million ($40.5 million) acquisition of goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, who will stay at KRC Genk for the upcoming season. The Belgian shot-stopper attracted interest from numerous clubs across Europe, including Real Madrid, but has put pen to paper on a six-year deal with the Reds. It's understood that Liverpool's Global Talent department, led by Matt Newberry, pinpointed Brughmans as a target before recruitment efforts were ramped up last week.
Cristiano Ronaldo's mom misses 'intimate' wedding as marriage certificate details ceremony Wrexham bid farewell to back-to-back promotion hero following record-breaking signing -Credit:BRUNO FAHY, BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images "This is a very special moment for me," said Brughmans, via the Liverpool Echo. "Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world. As a young goalkeeper, you dream of one day getting such an opportunity. At the same time, I am very grateful to KRC Genk. "This club has helped shape me, given me opportunities and made me better every day. I will stay in Genk this season with full focus and want to give everything for the club." Brughmans has been on Liverpool's radar for some time, having turned heads with his displays as Belgium captain at the 2025 UEFA Under-17s Championship in Albania. The goalkeeper underwent a medical in his home country on Monday and was placed on standby should late interest in Giorgi Mamardashvili emerge during the transfer window. However, Georgia international Mamardashvili, who had attracted attention from Nottingham Forest, has remained with the Reds, paving the way for Brughmans to continue at Genk until next summer. To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE The ECHO understands Liverpool possesses the option to secure the teenager's services at Anfield in January as part of the deal. Brughmans has featured in 14 games for Genk and is set to accumulate additional first-team minutes during the upcoming campaign before potentially relocating to Merseyside ahead of the 2027/28 preseason. In a farewell statement on the club's official website, Genk wrote: "Lucca is a boy with exceptional potential. He has developed excellently in recent years within the KRC Genk Academy and at Jong Genk (academy team). "The fact that a club like Liverpool is now fully committed to him is a great recognition for Lucca himself, but also for all the people who work every day within our Talent Academy on the development of young players. "KRC Genk would like to congratulate Lucca on this dream transfer and look forward to seeing him continue to work in our colours this season. Congratulations, Lucca." -Credit:Jurij Kodrun - FIFA, FIFA via Getty Images Liverpool have adopted a proactive approach to locking down some of the brightest young prospects from around the world in recent periods. Earlier this year, the club moved for teenage center-back pairing Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye. Both defenders shone at the U17s World Cup in Qatar last November, with Ndiaye arriving in January from Senegalese club Aimite for approximately £1.2 million ($1.6 million) before Ndukwe followed during the summer, after reaching 18 years of age, in a £2.4 million ($3.2 million) move from Austria Vienna. Ndukwe, who caught the eye during the club's preseason tour of the United States, has subsequently been sent on loan to Spanish club Levante with the aim of earning the necessary points for a work permit in the United Kingdom. Ndiaye, on the other hand, will spend the campaign with the U21 squad and offer first-team depth when required. During the summer of 2025, Liverpool brought in Hungarian goalkeeper Armin Pecsi, and the shot-stopper currently calls the Austrian Bundesliga side TSV Hartberg home. Liverpool will also complete the signing of Samuel Martinez from Atletico Nacional next year once the Colombian playmaker turns 18.