Since joining Cercle Brugge in 2020, Brazilian goalkeeper Warleson has had to bide his time. After a COVID-19 disrupted first season, his first full season with Cercle saw him play a back up role to Thomas Didillon. After the latter was signed by Monaco, Warleson may have hoped for an increase in first team opportunities. However, Cercle were able to bring in Monaco’s Polish goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki, who put in a number of impressive performances to solidify his spot as the clubs number one.
However, Majecki returned to Monaco and the number one goalkeeping spot was up for grabs. Over the summer, Cercle signed highly rated Belgian youth international Maxime Delanghe. However, he has now had to play second fiddle to Warleson, who is being rewarded for his patience. The 27-year-old from Brazil has kept an impressive clean sheets in 14 games so far this season. He was instrumental in earning Cercle a point against city rivals Club Brugge at the weekend as he made seven saves. A few weeks prior, he made another seven saves to earn a clean sheet away to KV Mechelen. He even grabbed an assist during the sides 2-0 win over Gent, with his long ball over the top allowing Kevin Denkey to make it 2-0.
Delanghe may well still be the future for Cercle, but at the moment Warleson is rightfully earning his spot as the sides number one option in goal.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
