What a week for Josue Kongolo. Earlier this week, he helped Belgium’s under-21s qualify for the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Now, by signing a new deal until 2030, he has also firmly committed his club future to KRC Genk as he takes the next step in his development.
Kongolo joined the KRC Genk Academy at a young age and has since progressed through the club’s youth development system. He was given time to develop, gained experience with Jong Genk and patiently worked towards his opportunity with the first team.
He is now making the most of that opportunity. Kongolo has established himself as a regular at the heart of the defence, combining impressive physical attributes and defensive strength with pace and quality on the ball. Add his exceptional attitude and hard work on the training ground, and it is clear why KRC Genk sees such a bright future for the young defender.
His progress has also attracted attention beyond Genk. Kongolo is regarded as one of Belgium’s most promising talents in his position and has drawn interest from clubs in several of Europe’s top leagues. Nevertheless, he has made a deliberate choice to extend his stay with us.
An eleventh season at the club
For KRC Genk, Kongolo’s journey embodies what the club stands for: identifying talent early, challenging players, showing patience and preparing them step by step for the highest level.
“This contract means a lot to me. I’m now in my eleventh season here, and KRC Genk has played a very important role in my development, both as a player and as a person. Along the way, I’ve had to be patient and work hard for my opportunities. That makes it all the more rewarding to be where I am today. I feel that the club has a lot of faith in me, while also knowing that I can still improve a great deal. That’s why this feels like the right place for me to take the next steps in my career,” said Kongolo.
We wish you every success as you continue your career at KRC Genk, Josue.
