KRC Genk proudly announces that Bryan Heynen has extended his contract for 4.5 more seasons, keeping him at the club until June 2029. This is the longest possible contract extension currently allowed in Belgian football.
"The club has shown immense trust in me. I feel great at KRC Genk and simply want to stay here for a very long time," says a delighted Heynen about his contract renewal.
A True Homegrown Talent
Bryan joined the Jos Vaessen Talent Academy at the age of six, progressing through every youth category. In 2015, he was promoted to the first team by newly appointed Sporting Director Dimitri de Condé—and he never looked back.
"Bryan sees football in a way that very few players do. His incredible football intelligence allows him to anticipate situations that others don’t see, making him invaluable to our team. Beyond that, he is a natural leader—not through words, but through actions. He leads by example and carries the team through difficult moments. We are incredibly proud to make Bryan a Genkie for life," says Head of Football Dimitri de Condé.
"I literally grew up here," Heynen adds. "I've been at this club for 22 years now. Every time I walk through the doors, it feels like coming home," says the Genk captain.
Lead by Example
At 28 years old, the Genk skipper has cemented his status as a true club legend. He played a crucial role in the club’s most recent league title and, as captain, lifted the Belgian Cup in 2021. Now in his 10th season with the first team, Heynen has already made 325 appearances in blue and white. This season, he remains one of the key pillars of coach Fink’s squad.
"My personal ambition is to break the club’s all-time appearance record. Right now, only Thomas Buffel has played more matches. On top of that, I want to win many more trophies with KRC Genk," he adds with determination.
The entire KRC Genk family looks forward to continuing this journey with Bryan and wishes him all the success in the years to come.
