Radja Nainggolan, a prominent figure for clubs like Roma, Inter, and Cagliari, holds the record for the most Serie A appearances by a Belgian player. He is closely followed by Napoli icon Dries Mertens and former Fiorentina striker Luis Oliveira.
This summer, Kevin De Bruyne, aged 34, became the latest Belgian talent to join Serie A, moving to Napoli on a free transfer from Manchester City. However, numerous Belgian players have left their mark on Italian football over the past years.
Napoli secured De Bruyne`s services after his contract with the Premier League powerhouse expired in June, successfully fending off interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and the MLS.
During his introductory press conference, De Bruyne elaborated on his decision, stating: “My primary motivation was to continue playing at the highest level. When the sporting director presented Napoli’s vision and project, it truly excited me. We evaluated all options, and I concluded that Napoli was the ideal destination. Having spent a considerable time in the Premier League, I ultimately decided it was time to leave England. I’ve achieved what I set out to do, and I`ll forever be a Manchester City player. The way my time there concluded, it felt right to seek a fresh challenge.”
The bond between Italian and Belgian football continues to strengthen over time, frequently leading to transfer discussions involving clubs from both nations.
A recent notable instance is Charles De Ketelaere, who initially faced challenges during his debut season at Milan following a €38 million transfer from Club Brugge. However, he swiftly established himself as a vital player for Atalanta, notably contributing to their Europa League victory in the 2023-24 season.
Top Belgian Players by Serie A Appearances
As noted earlier, De Bruyne is merely the most recent Belgian talent to make the move to Italy`s premier football league.
Among his most distinguished compatriots in Italy is Radja Nainggolan, who amassed an impressive 367 league appearances during his spells with Roma, Cagliari, and Inter, securing his position as the Belgian player with the highest number of Serie A games played.
Following Nainggolan is Dries Mertens, Napoli`s all-time leading scorer, who registered 295 league matches for the Partenopei.
Another notable forward, Luis Oliveira, had a multi-year tenure in Serie A, representing clubs such as Cagliari, Fiorentina, and Bologna, accumulating 257 league appearances.