RAAL La Louviere Belgian Pro League 2025/2026 Preview | OneFootball

Overview:

RAAL La Louviere shocked many by beating RWDM to promotion last season. The side’s win on the final day of the season was enough for them to return to the top flight for the first time in decades. In recent years they have come from the lower reaches of Belgian football to the Pro League. A new stadium is on the cards, and with an ambitious group in charge of the club, RAAL are not looking to just make up the numbers this season.

Transfers in: Ryan Safari (Union St Gilloise), Celestin De Schrevel (Gent), Mouhamed Belkheir (Fortuna Sittard), Alexis Beka Beka (Caen B), Lucas Bretelle (US Orleans), Matthis Riou (Guingamp), Theo Epailly (US Boulogne), Oucasse Mendy (FC Martigues), Dario Benavides (Sevilla Atl), Noah Makembo-Ntemo (SL16), Emmanuel Da Costa (Lierse)

Transfers out: Fadel Gobitaka (RFC Liege), Hady Camara (RFC Seraing), Arno Valkenaers (RAEC Mons), Raphael Eyongo (Olympic Charleroi, loan), Thierno Diallo (Olympic Charleroi, loan), Luka Hoedaert (Tubize-Braine, loan), Victor Corneillie (free), Adrien Bongiovanni (free), Tristan Loiseaux (free)

Key player: Mouhamed Belkheir

If the Algerian striker does indeed stay at the club, he will be a key player in helping RAAL remain in the Pro League. Last season, Belkheir was good for 14 goals in the Challenger Pro League while on loan from Fortuna Sittard. RAAL had to make sure he returned this season, but there are rumours that he could be sold on this summer. If he is, the side will need to find another goal scorer.

Young player to watch: Noah Makembo-Ntemo

Makembo-Ntemo joins from Standard Liege’s youth team SL16 after making 26 appearances in the second tier last season. The attacking midfielder will have to go well in training to force his way into the first team, but RAAL clearly saw something in him last year to offer him a two-year deal going into their first Pro League season for some time.

Transfer window needs:

The side has very little Pro League experience, with captain Wagane Faye having played in the top flight for RFC Seraing a few seasons ago. Faye is also the only player in the squad over the age of 30. They could do with more experience of the league in a number of positions. Should Belkheir leave, there is also a question of where the goals will come from. They have been active, so they will need to hope the likes of Dario Benavides and the players from the lower leagues of French football can surprise this season.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson