Brighton & Hove Albion have once again turned to the Belgian Pro League for talent, securing the signing of Maxim De Cuyper. While their previous move for Deniz Undav didn’t pan out as hoped, there’s strong belief that De Cuyper will be a success. The left-back fits seamlessly into Brighton’s tactical setup and could even establish himself as a regular in the Belgian national team. Although linked with bigger clubs like AC Milan, his decision to join Brighton could prove wise in the long run.
Historically, not all Belgian Pro League exports have flourished in the Premier League. Forwards like Undav and Paul Onuachu struggled to adapt, and even Sander Berge failed to reach the expected heights. However, there have been notable successes — Leandro Trossard and Kaoru Mitoma both made the same move to Brighton and went on to shine. Trossard is now impressing at Arsenal, while Mitoma continues to draw interest across Europe.
De Cuyper brings a different profile to the table. Unlike Undav, he’s a defender and won’t be judged solely on goals. Still, he offers plenty going forward. Known as one of Belgium’s best penalty takers and most productive full-backs, De Cuyper scored more than 90% of his positional peers last season. He also created more chances than anyone else in the Pro League and ended the 2023/24 season with 11 assists in 55 games. His dynamic style and offensive contributions should make him a fan favourite at the Amex.
At Brighton, competition will be fierce — but De Cuyper is no stranger to that. Upon returning from a loan at Westerlo, he fought with Bjorn Meijer for the left-back role at Club Brugge, even playing right-back at times. Eventually, he secured his preferred position through consistent performances.
Club Brugge, meanwhile, seem poised to lose both Meijer and De Cuyper this summer, a testament to the strength of their academy. As Brighton continue to earn praise for their smart recruitment strategy, De Cuyper may be the next success story. Still, credit must also go to the Belgian clubs nurturing these future stars before they make their move to the Premier League.
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