Hans Vanaken, born on 24 August 1992 (age 34), is a Belgian central attacking midfielder whose career has been built overwhelmingly at Club Brugge. Wearing number 20, he has been a long-term presence in their midfield rather than a passing contributor.
Across 12 seasons with Brugge, Vanaken has made 330 league appearances and scored 90 league goals. That return is the point with him: he is not just a neat midfielder connecting play, but one who has consistently added goals from areas where many players are content to circulate possession. His most productive league campaign came in 2019-2020, when he scored 13 times in 29 appearances.
He remains involved in 2026-2027, with 33 appearances and six goals for Club Brugge across all competitions, including 10 Champions League appearances and two goals. He has also continued to represent Belgium, scoring in both World Cup and European qualifying action this season.
His market value is around £6m, according to Transfermarkt. Vanaken’s career is a clear one: a Belgian international midfielder whose best and longest work has come at Club Brugge, with an attacking output that has kept him relevant deep into his thirties.
📈 Key stats and insights
