Belgian Pro League 2026/2027 Preview: Zulte Waregem

Belgian Pro League 2026/2027 Preview: Zulte Waregem Zulte Waregem managed to survive their first season back in the Belgian Pro League, although they did not finish the season well. Michael Beale has been brought in to turn things around, but he will likely be hoping the side are going to bring in a few more players to start the season. Zulte Waregem have lost a lot of goals this summer already and don’t appear, on paper at least, to have replaced them. Beale may well have his work cut out to start the campaign. Transfers in: István Átrok (MTK Budapest), Hemsley Akpa-Chukwu (RFC Seraing), Marley Ake (Yverdon, loan converted) Transfers out: Thibaud Sergeant (Roeselare), Siebe van Keymolen (Sporting Hasselt), Ibrahim Diabate (Egnatia), Jelle Vossen (Beerschot), Joseph Opoku (Swansea), Andres Labie (Sporting Hasselt), Stavros Gavriel (Nacional), Benoit Nyssen (free), Lukas Willen (Pogon Szczecin), Jeppe Erenbjerg (Genk) Key player: Thomas Claes Claes, at 22, is a player of real quality for Zulte Waregem. The midfielder is easy on the eye and will likely hope to push on under Beale, who should view him as key to the sides success this season. The former Genk youth academy product left the side to join Zulte Waregem because it meant he would get more game time. Claes will likely want to contribute a few more goals and assists this season, having managed two goals and one assist last season. Young player to watch: Hemsley Akpa Chukwu With Opoku and Erenbjerg having left, Zulte Waregem are light on goals. Akpa-Chukwu has come in from RFC Seraing, where he scored eight goals in 28 games. The Douala born Belgian youth international is a physical forward who could be a sneakily good signing for Zulte Waregem if he comes off. Zulte Waregem could certainly do with that happening given how light they look up top going into the season. GBeNeFN  |  Ben Jackson