
Courtois Acquires Minority Stake in Former Club Genk
Belgian club Genk announced that its former goalkeeper and current Real Madrid shot-stopper, Thibaut Courtois, has joined the club's list of shareholders. The 34-year-old player has become a minority shareholder in the team where he began his football career. This move came after a formal decision issued by the Belgian management, confirming the return of one of its most prominent academy graduates to the club in a new capacity.
The Belgian international completed the acquisition through Next Play, an investment platform specializing in sports, media, and technology sectors, which Courtois co-founded. The decision received official approval during the club's general assembly on Monday evening. In this context, Genk stated: "Thibaut Courtois returns home to Genk as an investor," expressing a welcome for this partnership that connects the global star with his boyhood club from both an investment and sporting perspective.
This move highlights the Belgian goalkeeper's interest in expanding his presence in the European sports investment world, as he already holds a stake in French club Le Mans. Despite his professional commitments, his new investment in Belgium underscores his close connection to his initial football environment, while he continues his current professional career with Spanish club Real Madrid.