Overview:
Charleroi look ahead to the 2025/26 Belgian Pro League season with great enthusiasm, after a fine end to the season under Rik de Mil in 2024/25 saw them pip Antwerp to the Conference League post in the playoffs. With this first involvement in European competition since 2020/21’s Europa League, anticipation builds as De Mil and co. hope to keep momentum going through the summer break. If Les Zèbres can also trump their previous 10th-placed finish, that’ll be another bonus.
Transfers in: Jakob Napoleon Romsaas (Tromso), Freddy Mbemba (FC Versailles), Antoine Colassin (Beerschot), Yassine Khalifi (LOSC Lille B).
Transfers out: Adem Zorgane (Union Saint-Gilloise), Daan Heymans (KRC Genk), Nadhir Benbouali (ETO FC Győr).
Key player: Nikola Štulić
Nikola Štulić really came into his own last season, bettering a previously meagre scoring output that demonstrated a player lacking confidence. The Serbian striker only scored one goal in 24 games over his first two seasons, but in 2024/25, he notched 16 in 26 to leave those days firmly in the past.
With Charleroi now also plying their trade in the Europa Conference League, the 23-year-old, freshly-capped Serbian international’s confidence should only snowball. If Parfait Guiagon can continue, and new additions can start, the supply into dangerous key areas, there’s no reason why Štulić shouldn’t bag at least 10 goals over the course of the campaign.
Young player to watch: Yacine Titraoui
Notably described as an “unbelievable pivot partner for Adem Zorgane”, 21-year-old Yacine Titraoui will have the chance to step out of his departed teammate’s shadow to shine for Charleroi this season.
Having already demonstrated fine two-footed technique, excellent passing, strong ball-carrying and a progressive play style, Titraoui’s physical traits in tight spaces and in-match understanding is only going to improve. Building off a giant personal 2024/25, Titraoui will no doubt prove invaluable for his club’s maiden Conference League challenge, and first bit of continental involvement since 2020/21’s UEFA Europa League prelims.
Transfer window needs:
With Aberdeen reportedly interested in re-signing Oday Dabbagh after his initial loan spell, another striker behind Nikola Štulić and new signing Jakob Napoleon Romsaas could be ideal.
This may also depend on Haitian striker Mondy Prunier’s form. He had a fine campaign on loan at second-tier Franc Borains last term, netting 10 goals in 28 games. Whether the 25-year-old is capable of stepping up in the Pro League remains to be seen. Aside from him, all the other strikers are relatively inexperienced or inconsistent – like newboy Antoine Colassin. His highest tally for a season in senior football is four goals.
In order to properly deal with the exits of Adem Zorgane and Daan Heymans, Charleroi may also need to add reinforcements to the middle of the park. Yassine Khalifi (18) has come in from Lille B, yet doesn’t quite have the experience to fill the void left by Zorgane next to Titroaui in the midfield pivot. The signing of left-winger Freddy Mbemba after scoring 11 goals in 31 games for Versailles could be inspired thinking. However, nailing down two proven midfielders (holding and going forward) will prove crucial in linking defence to attack.
