Levante sign Belgian forward Yanis Musuayi from Club Brugge on five-year deal
Synopsis
Days after losing Carlos Espi to Real Madrid for €25 million, Levante have moved fast — signing 19-year-old Belgian forward Yanis Musuayi from Club Brugge for a reported €3 million on a five-year deal. It is a high-upside, low-cost bet on a teenager who scored six UEFA Youth League goals in 10 games and is already a Belgium youth international.
Key Takeaways
Levante have signed Belgian forward Yanis Musuayi from Club Brugge on a five-year contract until June 2030 .
The transfer fee is reportedly around three million euros .
Musuayi, 19 , scored seven goals in 44 appearances for Club NXT in Belgium's Challenger Pro League and netted six goals in 10 UEFA Youth League matches .
He will compete with Cameroon international Etta Eyong for a starting role under coach Luis Castro .
The signing follows Carlos Espi's departure to Real Madrid , who triggered his 25-million-euro release clause last Friday.
Spanish club Levante have secured the signing of Belgian forward Yanis Musuayi from Club Brugge on a five-year contract, the Valencia-based club confirmed, moving swiftly to address a vacancy in attack left by the departure of homegrown striker Carlos Espi. The 19-year-old has penned a deal running until June 2030, with the transfer fee reportedly in the region of three million euros.
Why Levante Moved for Musuayi
The signing comes directly in the wake of Espi's high-profile exit to Real Madrid, who activated his 25-million-euro release clause last Friday. The 21-year-old had enjoyed a breakout 2025-26 La Liga campaign, netting 11 goals — many of them crucial strikes in the closing weeks of the season as Levante secured top-flight survival. Replacing that output with a teenager from Belgium's second division is a calculated gamble, but one underpinned by Musuayi's evident upward trajectory.
What Musuayi Brings to the Squad
Musuayi arrives having made 44 appearances for Club NXT, Club Brugge's reserve side competing in Belgium's Challenger Pro League, where he scored seven goals. He also caught the eye in the UEFA Youth League, contributing six goals in 10 matches. At Levante, he is expected to compete with Cameroon international Etta Eyong for a starting berth under Portuguese head coach Luis Castro.
A Long Road Through Belgian Football
Musuayi's development path reflects the depth of Belgium's youth football infrastructure. He began at KSKL Ternat before progressing through the academies of AFC Tubize, FCV Dender, KAA Gent, KSC Lokeren, and KMSK Deinze. He made his senior professional debut for Deinze in 2024 before earning a move to Club Brugge later that year. His consistent performances have also earned him caps at Belgium Under-18 and Under-19 level, marking him as one of the country's more promising attacking prospects.
What Happens Next
According to Levante's official statement, Musuayi will join the squad in the coming days to begin pre-season preparations under Castro. With the new La Liga season approaching, the club will be counting on the Belgian to integrate quickly and provide the forward thrust that Espi's departure has left behind.
Point of View
But instead reinvested a fraction of that fee in a 19-year-old with a steep development curve. The €3 million outlay on Musuayi is low-risk capital deployment, but the sporting risk is real — Levante survived relegation last season partly on Espi's late-season goals, and Castro now needs a teenager to fill that void from day one. The move also signals that Levante's transfer strategy leans on scouting Belgium's second tier and youth circuits, a pipeline that has produced results before but demands patience the La Liga table may not always allow.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Yanis Musuayi and where did he come from?
Yanis Musuayi is a 19-year-old Belgian forward who joined Levante from Club Brugge's reserve side, Club NXT, where he played in Belgium's Challenger Pro League. He made his senior debut for KMSK Deinze in 2024 before moving to Club Brugge later that year.
How much did Levante pay for Musuayi?
The transfer fee is reportedly around three million euros, though Levante have not disclosed the official figure. The deal runs until June 2030, giving the club a five-year contract on the 19-year-old.
Why did Levante need a new forward?
Levante lost striker Carlos Espi to Real Madrid after the Spanish giants activated his 25-million-euro release clause last Friday. Espi had scored 11 La Liga goals in the 2025-26 season, playing a key role in Levante's top-flight survival.
What is Musuayi's playing record?
Musuayi made 44 appearances for Club NXT in the Belgian Challenger Pro League, scoring seven goals. He also netted six goals in 10 UEFA Youth League matches and has represented Belgium at Under-18 and Under-19 level.
Who will Musuayi compete with at Levante?
Musuayi is expected to challenge Cameroon international Etta Eyong for a starting place in coach Luis Castro's attack. He will join the squad in the coming days ahead of the new La Liga season.
