RSC Anderlecht has always been the absolute number one in terms of youth development in Belgium. This year too, our club is at the very top of the rating of youth licenses.
The youth licenses are awarded by the Pro League every year and are accompanied by a score. This score is made up of several criteria, like the efforts by the clubs to develop youth players (budget, infrastructure and the number of qualified coaches). The progression to the first team and the number of playing minutes of our youth players both in our domestic league as well as abroad are also taken into account.
With a total of 458.5 points, RSCA managed to get nearly 95 percent of the maximum score and tops the list once again. This should come as no surprise: RSCA has no less than 27 youth coaches with UEFA-degrees, of which 5 coaches hold their UEFA PRO-license, 11 with a UEFA A-license and a lot of other coaches that are currently getting these licenses. The club obviously invests a lot in contracts for youth players, in their upbringing and the transition to the first team.
Traditionally, our club is also amongst the top of international football in terms of the progression of youth players to the first team. In September 2022, a study by the CIES showed that RSC Anderlecht was the eighth club in the world when it comes to playing minutes for players under 21. At the time of the study, a whopping 44.6 percent of playing minutes went to players aged 21 or younger.
This season's numbers also reflect the club's efforts in terms of youth development. No fewer than 21 youth players played in the Jupiler Pro League and 36 players in the Challenger Pro League - for RSCA or for another Belgian club. A total of 27 players made their professional debut for our club.
RSC Anderlecht will continue down the same path. The renovation of the Academy in Neerpede this summer, the ongoing efforts to sign young talented players (like Tristan Degreef and Theo Leoni recently), and, above all, the unwavering commitment of the coaches and all other staff, the message is and remains clear: In Youth We Trust.
