At KRC Genk, it is essential for young talents to progress to the first team. Youth artistic coordinator Stijn Haeldermans is keeping an eye on this. The former professional can also reveal a new talent has moved into the first team.
Genk has a history with top goalkeepers. Thibaut Courtois, Koen Casteels, Nordin Jakers, Sinan Polat… they all come from Genk's academy. And now there's another one.
“Goalkeeper Mike Benders is a true leader and has proven his skills,” said HBvL's Heldermans. “Next season he will compete with Hendrik van Crombrugge, succeeding Martin Vandevoordt.”
This season, other talents have also emerged. Young Genk is having a very good season and apart from Mike, Kos Karitsas, Thomas Claes, Josue Kongolo, Ibrahim Bangura, Christian Akpan and Noah Adedeji Sternberg have also been rewarded with a place in the first team selection.
“Noah has been allowed to switch three times. These success stories should also be an incentive for the next generation of young guests to give their best every day.”
And what they don't have internally, they will also have for the youth teams. “Naoki Komata and Yumiki Yoshinaga have appeared on our radar through our scouting cell. Komata as a centre-forward and Yoshinaga as a left-back are hard to find and now have the opportunity to continue with us.”
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