Wout Faes
footballer.
Wout Faes is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Leicester City and the Belgium national team. Born on April 3, 1998, in Mol, Belgium, Faes has quickly established himself as a reliable defender in top-flight football. He began his career with Anderlecht's youth academy before moving to Oostende in 2018, where he became a regular starter. His performances caught the attention of French club Reims, who signed him in January 2020. Faes continued to impress in Ligue 1, leading to a transfer to Leicester City in September 2022 for a reported £15 million. Despite Leicester's relegation from the Premier League in his first season, Faes played a crucial role in their immediate return to the top flight, helping the team win the Championship in the 2023/24 season. His consistent performances and leadership qualities have made him an integral part of Leicester's defense and a promising talent for the Belgian national team.
Early life & youth football
Faes's early life and youth career were shaped by his time at Anderlecht's renowned academy. He joined the club in 2012 from Lierse, quickly attracting interest from Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United. However, Faes chose to sign his first professional contract with Anderlecht, demonstrating his loyalty and commitment to his development. From the 2015-16 season, he began training regularly with the first team. Faes's talent was evident as he captained Anderlecht's youth team to the semi-finals of the UEFA Youth League in the 2015-16 season. Despite his promise, he struggled to break into Anderlecht's first team, leading to loan spells with Heerenveen and Excelsior in the Eredivisie, which provided valuable first-team experience.
Professional career
In the 2016/17 season, Wout Faes experienced his first taste of senior football during a loan spell with Heerenveen in the Eredivisie. He made his professional debut on April 1, 2017, coming on as a substitute against Heracles Almelo. Faes went on to start the remaining games of the regular season, accumulating 7 league appearances. He also featured in one playoff match for European qualification. Although his time at Heerenveen was brief, it provided valuable experience for the young defender, allowing him to test himself in a top-flight league. Despite not scoring any goals, Faes showed promise with his defensive abilities and composure on the ball. This loan spell marked an important step in his development, giving him the opportunity to play regular first-team football and adapt to the demands of professional competition.The 2017/18 season saw Faes embark on another loan spell, this time with Excelsior in the Eredivisie. He made 19 league appearances for the Rotterdam-based club, demonstrating his growing maturity as a defender. Faes also featured in one cup match, bringing his total appearances for the season to 20. Although he didn't find the back of the net, his performances helped solidify his reputation as a promising young centre-back. The loan spell at Excelsior provided Faes with more consistent playing time compared to his previous season at Heerenveen, allowing him to further develop his skills and gain valuable experience in Dutch top-flight football. This period was crucial in shaping Faes's playing style and building his confidence at the senior level.The 2018/19 season marked a significant turning point in Faes's career as he joined Belgian side Oostende on a permanent deal. He quickly established himself as a key player, making 26 appearances in the Belgian Pro League and scoring his first professional goal. Faes also featured in 5 cup matches, scoring once, and played 9 games in other competitions. His total of 40 appearances across all competitions highlighted his importance to the team. This season saw Faes take on more responsibility, occasionally wearing the captain's armband and demonstrating his leadership qualities. His performances at Oostende began to attract attention from larger clubs, setting the stage for his future move to France.In the 2019/20 season, Faes continued his development at Oostende, making 22 appearances in the Belgian Pro League before the season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also played in 2 cup matches, bringing his total appearances for the season to 24. Although he didn't score any goals this season, his defensive performances remained solid. Faes's consistent displays caught the eye of French club Reims, who signed him in January 2020. However, as part of the deal, Faes was loaned back to Oostende for the remainder of the season. This transfer marked a significant step in his career, securing a move to one of Europe's top five leagues and setting the stage for his future success in France and eventually England. The 2020/21 season saw Wout Faes establish himself as a key player for Reims in Ligue 1. He made 33 league appearances, scoring one goal and helping the team secure a 14th-place finish. Faes's consistent performances in defense earned him praise from fans and pundits alike. His ability to read the game and make crucial interceptions became evident, as he averaged 1.8 interceptions per match. Faes also demonstrated his passing ability, completing an average of 47.5 passes per game with an 84.7% success rate. His aerial prowess was on display, winning 3.1 aerial duels per match. The Belgian defender's strong showings caught the attention of his national team, leading to his first senior call-up in November 2021. This season marked a significant step in Faes's development, as he adapted well to the demands of one of Europe's top five leagues and began to attract interest from bigger clubs.In the 2021/22 campaign, Faes continued to impress for Reims, featuring in 37 Ligue 1 matches and scoring a career-high four goals. His defensive contributions were crucial in helping Reims finish 12th in the league. Faes's improved goal-scoring record highlighted his threat from set-pieces, while his defensive stats remained solid with 1.6 interceptions and 3.3 clearances per game. His passing accuracy improved to 86.2%, showcasing his growing confidence on the ball. This season also saw Faes make his international debut for Belgium on June 8, 2022, in a UEFA Nations League match against Poland. His performances at club level and his breakthrough into the national team setup significantly raised his profile. By the end of the season, Faes had established himself as one of the most promising young defenders in Ligue 1, setting the stage for a move to a more prominent league.The 2022/23 season marked a significant change in Faes's career as he joined Leicester City in the Premier League for a reported £15 million fee. Despite joining a struggling Leicester side, Faes quickly adapted to English football, making 31 league appearances and scoring one goal. His debut season in England was challenging, as Leicester were relegated from the Premier League. However, Faes's individual performances were often a bright spot for the team. He averaged 1.5 interceptions and 4.2 clearances per game, demonstrating his defensive capabilities in a more physically demanding league. Faes also maintained a passing accuracy of 83.5%, showing his ability to play out from the back. Despite the team's struggles, he was included in Belgium's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, further cementing his status as an international player.In the 2023/24 season, Faes played a crucial role in Leicester City's immediate return to the Premier League. He featured in 43 Championship matches, scoring two goals and helping the team secure the title. His leadership and consistency at the back were key factors in Leicester's successful campaign. Faes's performances earned him a place in the EFL Championship Team of the Season, recognizing his impact on the team's promotion push. His aerial dominance was particularly noteworthy, winning an average of 3.5 aerial duels per game. Faes also continued to improve his distribution, completing 87.3% of his passes and often initiating attacks from deep positions. This season not only showcased Faes's ability to adapt to different levels of competition but also highlighted his importance to Leicester's future plans as they prepared for their return to the Premier League.
National team
Faes's international career began with Belgium's youth teams, where he gained attention as the captain of various age groups. He represented Belgium at the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup, helping the team secure a bronze medal. Faes received his first call-up to the senior Belgium national team in November 2021 for World Cup qualification matches against Estonia and Wales, although he remained an unused substitute. His senior debut came on June 8, 2022, in a UEFA Nations League match against Poland, which Belgium won 6-1. This performance earned him a place in Belgium's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Faes has since become a regular fixture in the national team, participating in their UEFA Euro 2024 campaign and solidifying his position as one of Belgium's promising defensive talents.
Player’s style
Faes's style of play is characterized by his composure, tactical intelligence, and physical presence. Standing at 6'2" (1.87m), he possesses the aerial ability to dominate in both defensive and offensive set-pieces. His reading of the game allows him to make timely interceptions and crucial tackles. Faes is comfortable with the ball at his feet, often initiating attacks from the back with accurate long passes or carrying the ball forward. His leadership qualities, honed during his time as a youth captain, are evident in his ability to organize the defense and communicate effectively with teammates. Faes's versatility allows him to play in various defensive systems, whether in a back four or as part of a three-man defense. His combination of technical skill, tactical awareness, and physical attributes makes him a modern centre-back capable of contributing to both defensive stability and offensive build-up play.