Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez has revealed that he was “a big Liverpool fan” as a child and has turned down a move to Saudi Arabia, in the hope of a big transfer this summer.
Centre-back Ordonez was the subject of a £34.6 million bid from Crystal Palace in the January transfer window, but his club rejected it, with the defender claiming it “wasn’t an option” because he “wanted to finish the season at Club Brugge.”
The 21-year-old centre-half has been impressing in the Champions League over the last 18 months, starting each of his team’s 22 matches in the competition across the last two seasons, as they reached the round of 16 last year and play-off round in 2025/26.
In a revealing interview with the Gazet Van Antwerpen, the Ecuadorian has admitted that it is now his “intention” to “move to a big team” after the World Cup.
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“It would be great if I could go to the Premier League. That’s my favourite league and given my size, it should suit me well.
“As a kid, I was a big Liverpool fan, too.”
Joel Ordonez
Joel Ordonez
Joel Ordonez responds when asked if he would like a ‘better club’ to come in for him this summer.
The *Mail*‘s Lewis Steele reported last summer that Ordonez was was one of three young centre-backs being scouted by Liverpool, the others being Giovanni Leoni and Wolfsburg’s Konstantinos Koulierakis.
3D3HGJK Bruges, Belgium. 05th Nov, 2025. Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Club Brugge KV and FC Barcelona at Jan Breydelstadion in Bruges, Belgium on November 5, 2025 (Photo by Andrew SURMA/ Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
Last summer, Ordonez was close to joining Marseille and even stopped training to force through a move.
While it isn’t ideal that he acted in such a way, Ordonez has shown a good attitude to come back and help his side to the Champions League play-off round this season, where they were beaten 7-4 on aggregate by Atletico Madrid.
Asked whether he became angry with Brugge’s sporting director, Devy Rigaux, for denying the transfer, Ordonez said: “I’m indeed a calm person, someone who always keeps a level head. You see that on the pitch too.
“If opponents challenge me, I never react, but at that moment, I was really angry, yes. Those had been stressful weeks, too.
“Yet I was able to quickly turn things around afterwards. I’m no longer sad about that missed transfer and I’m just happy to be here. Everything happens for a reason after all.”
Joel Ordonez: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Joel Ordonez and what is his position?
Joel Ordonez is a 21-year-old Ecuadorian international who plays as a right-sided centre-back. Standing at 1.88m (6ft 2in), he is also capable of playing at right-back.
How many appearances has Ordonez made for Club Brugge?
The defender has already surpassed 100 senior appearances for Club Brugge, including 22 appearances in the Champions League.
How much would Joel Ordonez cost Liverpool?
Reports suggested in January that a deal worth approximately £35 million (€40m) was close to being agreed, with personal terms already settled with the player.
Ordonez has shown good ambition too, turning down a move to Saudi Arabia this season: “I also received an offer from Saudi Arabia (from Al-Hilal), but I’m not looking for that right now.
“I want to win trophies at the highest level and make a name for myself.”
Ordonez signed a contract extension in September at Club Brugge, which means his current deal now runs until 2029.
South American reports in January claimed Liverpool were close to a £35m deal for the defender, but they have since signed Jeremy Jacquet so it would be a surprise to see Ordonez move to Merseyside, even if it is the player’s dream destination!