Liverpool FC unveil new signing Lucca Brughmans at AXA Training Centre on September 02, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool FC unveil new signing Lucca Brughmans at AXA Training Centre on September 02, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool broke a world record with their £30 million deal for Genk goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, beating Real Madrid to the Belgian’s signature in the process.
Brughmans returned to Genk earlier this week after formalising his transfer to Liverpool, with the 18-year-old expected to join Andoni Iraola‘s squad next summer.
He will spend the season on loan with his former club, after establishing himself as No. 1 for new head coach Jess Thorup.
But Liverpool also have big plans for the 6’7″ stopper, having made him the world’s most expensive goalkeeper under the age of 23.
Lucca Brughmans becomes most expensive U23 goalkeeper of all time
3E61AJ3 Antwerp, Belgium. 03rd Apr, 2026. Genk's goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans celebrates after winning a soccer match between Royal Antwerp FC and KRC Genk, Friday 03 April 2026 in Antwerp, on the first day of the Europe Play-offs (PO 2) of the 2025-2026 'Jupiler Pro League' first division of the Belgian championship. BELGA PHOTO TOM GOYVAERTS Credit: Belga News Agency/Alamy Live News
3E61AJ3 Antwerp, Belgium. 03rd Apr, 2026. Genk's goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans celebrates after winning a soccer match between Royal Antwerp FC and KRC Genk, Friday 03 April 2026 in Antwerp, on the first day of the Europe Play-offs (PO 2) of the 2025-2026 'Jupiler Pro League' first division of the Belgian championship. BELGA PHOTO TOM GOYVAERTS Credit: Belga News Agency/Alamy Live News
Their €35 million (£30m) agreement with Genk eclipses the £27 million Man City paid to re-sign James Trafford from Burnley last summer.
If all add-ons are paid, Brughmans will also effectively enter the top 10 for the biggest goalkeeper signings in history.
Jordan Pickford’s move from Sunderland to Everton in 2017 and Aaron Ramsdale’s switch from Sheffield United to Arsenal in 2021 were both worth up to £30 million and are considered 10th and 11th in the all-time list.
The 10 most expensive goalkeepers of all time
1. Kepa Arrizabalaga – Chelsea, 2018 – £71.6m
2. Alisson – Liverpool, 2018 – £65m
3. Andre Onana – Man United, 2023 – £43.9m
4. James Trafford – Leeds, 2026 – £40m
5. Thibaut Courtois – Real Madrid, 2018 – £35m
6. Ederson – Man City, 2017 – £34.7m
7. Lucas Chevalier – PSG, 2025 – £34.6m
8. Gianluigi Buffon – Juventus, 2001 – £32.6m
9. Jasper Cillessen – Valencia, 2019 – £31.4m
10. Jordan Pickford – Everton, 2017 – £30m
Brughmans will become Liverpool’s second-most expensive goalkeeper behind only Alisson, whose £65 million transfer from AS Roma in 2018 is the second-biggest ever.
Kepa Arrizabalaga remains the most expensive goalkeeper of all time, having joined Chelsea from Athletic Club for £71.6 million shortly after Alisson‘s then-record move to Liverpool.
Liverpool beat Real Madrid to ‘next Thibaut Courtois’
MADRID, SPAIN - Wednesday, March 15, 2023: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker (L) with Real Madrid's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg game between Real Madrid CF and Liverpool FC at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Madrid won 1-0 (6-2 on aggregate). (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MADRID, SPAIN - Wednesday, March 15, 2023: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker (L) with Real Madrid's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg game between Real Madrid CF and Liverpool FC at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Madrid won 1-0 (6-2 on aggregate). (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Fifth in the all-time list is Thibaut Courtois, and the significance of Brughmans’ decision to join the Reds is underlined by the fact he was identified as a potential successor to his fellow Belgian at Real Madrid.
This Is Anfield understands Liverpool considered Real Madrid genuine rivals for the teenager’s signature this summer.
It could be that their £30 million spend proves to be a coup, with every reason to believe that Brughmans is being lined up to take over from Alisson in the future.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
That may come as soon as next summer, with the Brazilian into the final year of his contract at Liverpool and unlikely to sign an extension.
But it would clearly be a gamble to install Brughmans, who has so far played 15 games of top-tier football, as immediate No. 1 – for example, David de Gea had already played over 100 games when he joined Man United at the age of 20.
Nevertheless, there was a conviction at Liverpool as they sanctioned a significant outlay for Brughmans, who can now look to continue his development at Genk before a big step next summer.
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool FC v Leeds United FC
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool FC v Leeds United FC
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, October 29, 2025: Crystal Palace's Ismaïla Sarr (L) celebrates with team-mate Yeremy Pino after scoring the first goal during the Football League Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. Palace won 3-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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