Bryan Heynen

Bryan Heynen is a Belgian centre midfielder born in Bree on 6 February 1997. He began at Opitter FC before joining Genk’s youth system at six, progressing through its age groups and later appearing for Genk U19. Heynen made his senior Genk debut on 25 July 2015, replacing Wilfred Ndidi in a 3–1 victory over OH Leuven. Under Peter Maes, he established himself in the first team, then became an important part of Philippe Clement’s side during Genk’s 2018–19 title-winning campaign. Two cruciate-ligament injuries, in 2017 and 2019, interrupted his progress, but he returned to reclaim a regular role. Heynen subsequently took the captain’s armband and has remained a central figure for the Limburg club. As a midfielder, he links defence and attack through passing, positional awareness and timely defensive work, while also contributing goals.