Hans Vanaken, born on 24 August 1992 (age 34), is a Belgian attacking midfielder whose career has been shaped overwhelmingly by Club Brugge. Wearing number 20, he has been a long-running presence in their midfield rather than a passing name in the squad.
His return from midfield has been the notable part. Across 12 seasons with Club Brugge, Vanaken has made 331 league appearances and scored 91 league goals, a level of output that sits well above the usual expectations for his role. His most productive league campaign came in 2019-20, when he scored 13 times in 29 appearances.
He remained firmly involved in 2026-27, with 24 appearances and five goals for Club Brugge across all competitions, including one goal in four league appearances. He has also continued to feature for Belgium, with goals in both World Cup and World Cup qualifying duty during the season.
Vanaken’s current market value is around £6m, according to Transfermarkt. His career is a straightforward one to read: a Belgian international midfielder, still relevant at Club Brugge, with a goals record that gives his long spell there its edge.
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