Hans Vanaken was born on 24 August 1992 and is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Belgian Pro League club Club Brugge and the Belgium national team.
11 Facts About Hans Vanaken
2.
Hans Vanaken began his career at the youth team of Lommel United before leaving the club to join the PSV Eindhoven academy in 2002 when the former declared bankruptcy.
3.
Hans Vanaken returned to a revamped Lommel in 2008 and made his senior debut for the club in the Belgian Second Division in 2010.
4.
Hans Vanaken caught the eye of a number of top division clubs after a string of standout performances for Lommel and joined Lokeren in 2013.
5.
Hans Vanaken further excelled in his second season in the top flight, scoring eight league goals and finishing third in the voting for the Belgian Golden Shoe award.
6.
In 2018, Hans Vanaken scored 21 goals and provided a further 21 assists as he helped his team to its 15th league title and the Belgian Supercup.
7.
On 16 January 2019, Hans Vanaken won the Belgian Golden Shoe award after having won the Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year award in May 2018.
8.
Hans Vanaken signed a new contract with Brugge on 9 August 2019, tying him to the club until 2024.
9.
On 15 January 2020, Hans Vanaken became the first player since Jan Ceulemans in 1986 to win back-to-back Belgian Golden Shoe awards.
10.
Hans Vanaken won the award on the back of 20 goals and 7 assists during 2019.
11.
On 17 May 2021, Hans Vanaken was one of two Belgium-based players to be selected for the final 26-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2020, along with club teammate Simon Mignolet.