Björn Engels

Björn Lionel G. Engels[3] (born 15 September 1994) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Premier League club Aston Villa.

Björn Engels
Personal information
Date of birth (1994-09-15) 15 September 1994[1]
Place of birth Kaprijke, Belgium
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre back
Club information
Current team
 Aston Villa
Number 22[2]
Youth career
2006–2013 Club Brugge
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2017 Club Brugge 57 (11)
2017–2019 Olympiacos 17 (3)
2018–2019 → Reims (loan) 33 (1)
2019 Reims 0 (0)
2019– Aston Villa 17 (1)
National team‡
2011 Belgium U17 1 (0)
2011 Belgium U18 1 (0)
2012 Belgium U19 5 (1)
2016 Belgium U21 2 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:10, 5 November 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 18:46, 6 September 2016 (UTC)

Club career

Club Brugge

Born in Kaprijke, Belgium, Engels first played for FC Kaprijke-Bentille, FC Lembeke and Lokeren as a youth. In 2006, at the age of 12, he joined Club Brugge.[4]

After progressing through the ranks of the academy, Engels appeared as an unused substitute, in a match against Gent on 29 October 2011, which saw Club Brugge win 5–4.[5] On 20 September 2012, he made his professional debut in the UEFA Europa League against Girondins de Bordeaux coming on at half-time for Thibaut Van Acker. Only one minute later he scored an own goal.[6] After the match, Engels described his Club Brugge debut as "very painful".[7] Having finished the 2012–13 season with one appearance, Engels signed his first professional contract with Club Brugge, agreeing a three–year deal.[8]

Engels made his league debut on 4 August 2013 in the second game of the 2013–14 season against Oostende. He played the full game and scored the opening goal in the third minute. Club Brugge won the game with 2–1.[9] After scoring his second against Kortrijk on 20 October 2013,[10] Engels’ performance at the club earned him a contract extension in November 2013, which would keep him until 2017.[11] Later in the 2013–14 season, Engels went on to score three more goals against Genk,[12] Zulte Waregem[13] and Lokeren.[14] Despite being sidelined due to injury[15] and suspension,[16] he continued to be a first team regular and finished the 2013–14 season with 35 appearances and 5 goals in all competitions. For his performances he was nominated for the Young Professional Footballer of the Year, but lost out to Youri Tielemans.[17]

After missing out the opening game of the 2014–15 season, due to an injury, Engels managed to regain his first team position making his first appearance of the season against Brøndby.[18] He then scored against Anderlecht on 31 August 2014[19] and a brace against Oostende on 28 September 2014.[20] In the next match against Standard Liège on 5 October 2014, which Club Brugge won 3–0, Engels suffered both a knee and an ankle injury despite playing the whole game.[21] Initially out between three and six weeks,[22] Engels’ recovery was delayed throughout 2014.[23][24] While recovering from both injuries, Engels signed a contract extension until 2019 in January 2015.[25] In March, a scan revealed Engels’ recovery would be delayed again and he would be out for the rest of the season.[26] Engels finished the 2014–15 season making twelve appearances and scoring three times in all competitions while winning the Belgian Cup.

Ahead of the 2015–16 season, Engels appeared to have recovered from his injuries when he returned to training in the pre–season.[27] However, at the start of the 2015–16 season, Engels’ hopes of returning suffered a setback when he was out for several months, delaying his return again following a scan.[28] He returned to training from injury around October.[29][30] On 10 December 2015, he made his first appearance in a year, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–1 draw against Midtjylland on matchday 6 of the UEFA Europa League Group stage.[31] Engels then made his first league appearance in a year against Anderlecht on 20 December 2015, where he set up a goal for the club in a 4–1 loss.[32] On 16 January 2016, Engels scored his first goal of the season, in a 3–0 win over Mouscron,[33] followed up by scoring his second in the next game on 24 January 2016, in a 2–1 win over Waasland-Beveren.[34] Despite suffering two separate injuries towards the end of the 2015–16 season,[35][36] Engels helped the club win the league in the 2015–16 season, earning him the winner's medal, and made 21 appearances and scoring twice in all competitions.

Ahead of the 2016–17 season, Engels was linked a move away from Club Brugge, prompting a response from Filip Joos, who stated that Engels would be worth €60 million (in China).[37] Engels remained at the club and signed a contract extension with the club, keeping him until 2020.[38] After being left out of the squad for the first three matches at the start of the season, including Belgium Super Cup,[39] he then scored his first goal of the season on 28 August 2016, in a 2–2 draw against Standard Liège.[40] On 14 September 2016, he made his Champions League debut against Leicester City, earning a booking in the 35th minutes, in a 3–0 loss.[41] During the match, Engels suffered a shoulder injury and was substituted in the 53rd minute. After the match, it was announced he would be sidelined for months with the injury.[42] On 18 December 2016, he made his return from injury, making his first start in months, in a 5–1 win over Kortrijk.[43] After returning to the first team, Engels regained his place for the rest of the season despite suffering from an abductor injury and appearing on the substitute bench.[44][45][46] He later scored again on 24 February 2017, in a 5–0 win over Zulte Waregem.[47] At the end of the 2016–17 season, Engels had scored twice in 23 appearances.

In the 2017–18 season, Engels continued to remain in the first team, making five appearances by the end of August.[48][49]

Olympiacos

In the summer transfer window of 2017, Engels was linked with a move to English sides Arsenal,[50] Fulham[51] and Stoke City.[52] Ultimately, Greek Superleague side Olympiacos agreed with the player's side on 29 August 2017,[53] while Club Brugge agreed on the transfer with Olympiacos for an estimated €7.1 million fee on 30 August 2017.[54] The following day, on 31 August 2017, Olympiacos announced the signing of Engels.[55] Upon joining Olympiacos, Engels said of the move, quoting: "this seems to me the perfect step in my career. Olympiakos is the most important team in Greece, and I'm very happy to be here."[56] On 22 October 2017, Engels's goal earned the victory in the derby against rivals PAOK. Belgian centre-back struck six minutes after half-time, bundling the ball home after a Kostas Fortounis free-kick caused panic in the PAOK penalty box to win three vital points for the defending champions.[57]

On summer 2018, after being told he was not part of new manager Pedro Martins's plans, Engels tried to find a new club to continue his career.[58]

Loan to Reims

In August 2018, Engels joined Reims, newly promoted to Ligue 1 at the end of the 2017–18 season, on a season-long loan from Olympiacos.[59] Engels performed solidly with Reims throughout the year, playing in 33 Ligue 1 games. Engels helped Reims rise to eighth position in the table.

Reims

On 28 March 2019, Reims announced they had triggered the option-to-buy clause in Engels’ contract for an estimated €4 million fee following a strong 2018–19 Ligue 1 campaign.

Aston Villa

On 16 July 2019, Engels signed for Premier League side Aston Villa for an estimated €8 million fee.[60] Reims' director-general Mathieu Lacour and president Jean-Pierre Caillot described that Engels' short time with the club was due to an agreement to allow him to join any Premier League club that made a considerable offer.[61]

International career

After going through the ranks of Belgium U17, Belgium U18 and Belgium U19, Engels received his first call up to the senior Belgium squad in March 2016 for a friendly against Portugal, but didn't play.[62] Two months later, Engels was again called up for the senior Belgium squad ahead of the Euro 2016 tournament.[63] However, Engels suffered a thigh injury that ruled him out of the tournament.[36]

After being left out the senior squad, Engels was called up by the Belgium U21 for the first time on 26 August 2016[64] and made his Belgium U21 debut on 2 September 2016 against Malta U21, scoring a winning goal, in a 3–2 win.[65]

Personal life

Engels has a brother named Manice. He is in a relationship with his partner, Evangalitsa from Liverpool,[66] whom he has been dating since 2012.[67] The couple have a son born in July 2017.[68]

Career statistics

Club
As of 5 November 2020[69][70]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Club Brugge 2012–13 Pro League 00001[lower-alpha 1]00010
2013–14 234200010[lower-alpha 2]1355
2014–15 73104[lower-alpha 1]000123
2015–16 102401[lower-alpha 1]06[lower-alpha 2]0212
2016–17 First Division A 152001[lower-alpha 3]07[lower-alpha 2]0232
2017–18 20003[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 1]00050
Total 5711701002319712
Olympiacos 2017–18 Superleague Greece 173205[lower-alpha 3]000242
Reims 2018–19 Ligue 1 331200000351
Aston Villa 2019–20 Premier League 171101000191
2020–21 Premier League 0000000000
Total 171101000191
Career total 1241612016023117517
  1. Appearances in the Europa League
  2. Appearances in the Pro League playoffs
  3. Appearances in the Champions League

Honours

Club Brugge

Aston Villa

References
  1. "Björn Engels: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  2. Connor, Dan (9 August 2019). "Aston Villa squad numbers 2019/20 announced". [{Aston Villa F.C.]].
  3. "2019/20 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  4. "Basisplaats voor Björn Engels?" (in Dutch). Nieuwsblad. 21 September 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  5. "Björn Engels (18): 'Ryan Donk is mijn grote voorbeeld'" (in Dutch). Nieuwsblad. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  6. "Bordeaux vernedert een ontstellend zwak Club: 4–0" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  7. "18-jarige Club-verdediger: "Heel pijnlijk"" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 21 September 2013. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  8. "Club gunt youngsters Engels en Verstraete profcontract" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  9. "Oostende laat Club werken voor de drie punten" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 4 August 2013. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  10. "Negen Bruggelingen ten onder bij Kortrijk: 4–1" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 20 October 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  11. "Engels en Mechele blijven tot 2017 bij Club" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 28 November 2013. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  12. "Castillo helpt Club mee aan tweede plaats met zege op Genk" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 9 February 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  13. "Essevee en Club houden elkaar in evenwicht na leuke match" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 8 March 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  14. "Herbeleef de klinkende overwinning van Club tegen Lokeren" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 28 March 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  15. "Duarte weken out, Mechele enige fitte centrale verdediger" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  16. "Waasland-Beveren krijgt Club Brugge op de knieën: 1–2" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 26 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  17. "Vijf genomineerden voor Profvoetballer van het Jaar" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 9 May 2014. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  18. "Club Brugge wint probleemloos van slap Brøndby" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 31 July 2014. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  19. "Club en Anderlecht verdelen de koek in klassieker" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 31 August 2014. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  20. "Engels speelt hoofdrol in Oostende-Club-draw" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 28 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  21. "Twee penalty's helpen Club voorbij gefrustreerd Standard" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 5 October 2014. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  22. "Club 3 tot 6 weken zonder Engels" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  23. "Preud'homme: 'Er komen geen nieuwe spelers bij tijdens winterstop'" (in Dutch). Nieuwsblad. 21 November 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  24. "Preud'homme wil groepswinst en geen extra averij tegen Helsinki" (in Dutch). Nieuwsblad. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  25. "Mechele, Engels en Storm tekenen bij bij Club" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 8 January 2015. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  26. "Bjorn Engels dit seizoen niet meer in actie" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  27. "Engels sluit opnieuw bij de groep aan" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 3 July 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  28. "Club-verdediger Bjorn Engels blijft in het sukkelstraatje" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  29. "Engels op de terugweg: verdediger traint opnieuw met de bal" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  30. "Daags na opdoffer bij Anderlecht ook goed nieuws voor Club: Engels gaat voluit" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  31. "Voor rust dramatisch Club eruit geknikkerd door Deense dwerg (1–1)" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 10 December 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  32. "Anderlecht is baas in tumultueuze topper bij Club Brugge" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 20 December 2015. Archived from the original on 30 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  33. "Club Brugge raakt in spaarmodus voorbij Moeskroen" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 16 January 2016. Archived from the original on 9 September 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  34. "Club Brugge doet wat het moet in Beveren" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 24 January 2016. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  35. "Brute pech voor Club: Engels valt uit en mist topper" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 17 April 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  36. "Bjorn Engels mist het EK door blessure" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 18 May 2016. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  37. "Mulder: "Bjorn Engels is 60 miljoen waard (in China)"" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 9 February 2016. Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  38. "Engels en Claudemir verlengen contract bij Club" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  39. "Club Brugge trekt zo goed als compleet naar Mechelen" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 28 July 2016. Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  40. "Club Brugge en Standard delen de punten na knotsgekke slotfase" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 28 August 2016. Archived from the original on 19 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  41. "Verdiende Slimani rood na fout op Engels? Brugse verdediger naar kliniek" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 14 September 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  42. "Bjorn Engels voetbalt niet meer in 2016" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 15 September 2017. Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  43. "Herbeleef de 5–1 zege van Club tegen KV Kortrijk" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  44. "Preud'homme brandt kaarsje voor Engels: "Björn heeft wat last van zijn adductoren. Hopelijk is het niets erg"" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  45. "Club-verdediger Engels: "Ik hoop na dit seizoen op een transfer"" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 4 March 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  46. "Club Brugge verliest met 2–1 waardoor tweede plek nog in gevaar komt, Oostende speelt voor Europees ticket" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  47. "Leider Club pakt uit met statement voor play-off 1 door Essevee met huid en haar te verslinden (5–0)" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 24 February 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  48. "Laurens De Bock opvallende afwezige in selectie Club voor Europese return in Turkije" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  49. "Opvallend: Perbet niet in Brugse selectie voor Zulte Waregem" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  50. "Arsenal target Bjorn Engels admits he loves the Premier League". Metro. 18 April 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
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  52. "Stoke City look like turning back on two transfer targets". The Stoke Sentinel. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  53. "CLUBNIEUWS. Belgische clubs doen onderling zaakjes, vertrekken nog enkele grote namen" (in Dutch). Nieuwsblad. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  54. "Club Brugge-verdediger Engels later vandaag verwacht in Griekenland" (in Dutch). Nieuwsblad. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  55. "Ένχελς: Ανυπομονώ να παίξω μπροστά στους οπαδούς του Ολυμπιακού" (in Greek). Sport24.gr. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  56. "Engels heeft transfer naar Griekse recordkampioen beet: "De perfecte stap in mijn carrière"" (in Dutch). Nieuwsblad. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  57. "Με γκολ του Ένχελς, ο Ολυμπιακός πήρε το ντέρμπι με τον ΠΑΟΚ" (in Greek). Sport24.gr. 22 October 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  58. "Τι παίζει με Σισέ, Βούκοβιτς και Ενχελς" (in Greek). rednews.gr. 24 June 2018.
  59. "Björn Engels rejoint le Stade de Reims" (in French). dhnet.be. 19 August 2018.
  60. "Aston Villa sign centre-back Björn Engels". Aston Villa F.C. 16 July 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  61. Preece, Ashley (16 July 2019). "Done deal: Aston Villa to announce eighth summer signing as star trains at club's US base". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  62. "Wilmots roept Engels, Thorgan Hazard en Guillaume Gillet op, geen Musonda" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 18 March 2016. Archived from the original on 1 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  63. "Bondscoach selecteert Batshuayi, Engels en Jordan Lukaku voor EK, Chadli reserve" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 12 May 2016. Archived from the original on 24 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  64. "Géén Björn Engels bij Rode Duivels, maar hij duikt wel op in beloftenselectie Walem" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  65. "Engels schenkt beloften op de valreep drie belangrijke punten" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 2 September 2016. Archived from the original on 19 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  66. https://www.facebook.com/101566839887394/posts/2792411497469568?sfns=mo%5B%5D
  67. "Björn Engels heeft ons door de hel gesleurd" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  68. "Club-verdediger Björn Engels verwelkomt zoontje" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  69. Björn Engels at Soccerway. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  70. "Björn Engels". superleaguegreece.net. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  71. McNulty, Phil (1 March 2020). "Aston Villa 1–2 Manchester City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
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