# KV Kortrijk > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/KV_Kortrijk > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/KV_Kortrijk.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KV_Kortrijk > Source revision: 1354087299 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Belgian professional football club Football club KV Kortrijk Full name Koninklijke Voetbalclub Kortrijk Nickname De Kerels (The Guys) Founded 1901; 125 years ago (1901) Ground Guldensporenstadion, Kortrijk Capacity 9,399[1] Owner Vincent Tan Chairman Ken Choo Head coach Michiel Jonckheere League Challenger Pro League 2024–25 Belgian Pro League, 15th of 16 regular season 3rd of 4, Relegation round (relegated) Website kvk.be Home colours Away colours Third colours Current season **Koninklijke Voetbalclub Kortrijk** (often simply called **KV Kortrijk** or **KVK**) is a Belgian professional [football](/source/Association_football) club based in [Kortrijk](/source/Kortrijk), [West Flanders](/source/West_Flanders). They play in the [Belgian Pro League](/source/Belgian_Pro_League) and they achieved their best ranking ever during the [2009–10 season](/source/2009%E2%80%9310_Belgian_Pro_League), finishing fourth after the play-offs. KV Kortrijk was founded in 1971, though their roots can be traced to 1901. They are registered to the [Royal Belgian Football Association](/source/Royal_Belgian_Football_Association) with [matricule number](/source/Matricule) 19. The club colours are red and white. They play their home matches at the [Guldensporenstadion](/source/Guldensporenstadion), named after the [Battle of the Golden Spurs](/source/Battle_of_the_Golden_Spurs) which took place in Kortrijk in 1302. KV Kortrijk first entered the first division in the early 20th century, between [1906–07](/source/1906%E2%80%9307_Belgian_First_Division) and [1910–11](/source/1910%E2%80%9311_Belgian_First_Division). They eventually had to wait 65 years to return at the highest level, when they spent 15 seasons at the top flight, interrupted by a season in the second division (between [1976–77](/source/1976%E2%80%9377_Belgian_First_Division) and [1978–79](/source/1978%E2%80%9379_Belgian_First_Division) and between [1980–81](/source/1980%E2%80%9381_Belgian_First_Division) and [1991–92](/source/1991%E2%80%9392_Belgian_First_Division)). KV Kortrijk also played the [1998–99 season](/source/1998%E2%80%9399_Belgian_First_Division) in the first division before they returned to the [Belgian Pro League](/source/Belgian_Pro_League) in the [2008–09 season](/source/2008%E2%80%9309_Belgian_First_Division). ## History In 1901 **SC Courtraisien** was founded. The club merged with FC Courtraisien in 1918. They received in 1951 the name **Koninklijke Kortrijk Sport**. They had the matricule n°19 like the oldest club SC Courtraisien. **Stade Kortrijk** was founded in 1923 with matricule n°161. Because Stade Kortrijk and Koninklijke Kortrijk Sport didn't play well anymore, they merged in 1971. They could play with matricule n°19 and the new name was **KV Kortrijk**. Early 2000's KV Kortrijk dropped to the [third division](/source/Belgian_Third_Division). In 2001 they went bankrupt but managed to finish the season. They even won the third division playoffs but the club did not promote to the second division as they were penalized for the bankruptcy. In 2004 KV Kortrijk promoted to the second division, and in the 2007–08 season they managed to get promoted to the first division. KV Kortrijk was bought for €5 million by Malaysian businessman [Vincent Tan](/source/Vincent_Tan) on 12 May 2015.[2] On 4 May 2025, Kortrijk secure relegation to [Challenger Pro League](/source/Challenger_Pro_League) from next season after winning from [Cercle Brugge](/source/Cercle_Brugge_KSV) 0–2 in Relegation round because [Beerschot](/source/K_Beerschot_VA) couldn't defeat [STVV](/source/Sint-Truidense_VV). This way they ended 17 years in top tier. On 11 April 2026 they secured promotion from second division and returned back to the [Belgian Pro League](/source/Belgian_Pro_League). They are the only club to achieve immediate promotion after relegation since [KV Mechelen](/source/KV_Mechelen) in 2019. ## Honours Historical chart of KV Kortrijk league performance - **[Belgian Cup](/source/Belgian_Cup)** - Runners-up (1): [2011–12](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_Belgian_Cup) - **[Belgian Second Division](/source/Belgian_Second_Division)** - **Winners (2):** 1905–06, 2007–08 - Runners-up (2): 1979–80, 1997–98 - **[Belgian Second Division final round](/source/Belgian_Second_Division_final_round)** - **Winners (3):** 1976, 1980, 1998 ## Colours and badge This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) KV Kortrijk's colours are generally red and white. The home kit is usually all red with white trim and red shorts. The away kit is similar, except in blue. The club's logo is a white shield, split into thirds by a red upside-down, V-like shape, and the letters "*KVK*" are split into each third, in a red font. On top of the shield is a crown. ## Stadium KV Kortrijk plays their home matches at the [Guldensporen Stadion](/source/Guldensporen_Stadion). It is located in [Kortrijk, Belgium](/source/Kortrijk%2C_Belgium), and the current capacity of the ground is 9,399. In the summer of 2008, the ground's capacity was increased from 6,896 to 9,399,[1] after Kortrijk's elevation into the [Belgian First Division](/source/Belgian_First_Division). *Guldensporenstadion* literally means "Stadium of the Golden Spurs". The stadium is named after this in reference to the [Battle of the Golden Spurs](/source/Battle_of_the_Golden_Spurs) which, in 1302, was fought in Kortrijk. The stadium has a traditional local stadium look about it and is single-tiered all around the ground. ## Current squad - *As of 8 September 2025*[3] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under [FIFA eligibility rules](/source/FIFA_eligibility_rules); some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK ISL Patrik Gunnarsson 2 MF SEN Mouhamed Guèye 3 DF SCO Matthew Anderson 5 DF CMR James Ndjeungoue 6 MF BEL Liam De Smet 7 MF BEL Ilan Hurtevent 8 MF BEL Youssef Challouk 9 FW IRL Jonathan Afolabi 10 MF BEL Lennard Hens 11 FW HUN Csanád Vilmos Dénes 13 GK BEL Ebbe De Vlaeminck 14 FW BEL Lenn De Smet 15 DF CIV Mohamed Fofana 18 FW BEL Jellert Van Landschoot No. Pos. Nation Player 19 MF BEL Brecht Dejaegere 20 DF BEL Gilles Dewaele 21 MF RSA Cassius Mailula (on loan from Toronto FC) 22 DF BEL Gilles Ruyssen 25 MF BEL Manuel Osifo (on loan from OH Leuven) 31 GK SRB Marko Ilić 35 MF BEL Boris Lambert (on loan from Willem II) 36 DF FRA Rudy Kohon 39 FW MAD Bryan Adinany 49 DF BEL Fuhna Nsolo 68 FW GLP Thierry Ambrose 77 GK BEL Tristen Alliet 90 FW NGA Sixtus Ogbuehi 99 FW SEN Abdoul Diop ### Out on loan Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under [FIFA eligibility rules](/source/FIFA_eligibility_rules); some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. No. Pos. Nation Player — FW BEL Kyan Himpe (at Roeselare until 30 June 2026) ## Coaching staff Position Staff Head Coach Michiel Jonckheere Assistant Coach Kurt Bataille Christophe Lepoint Goalkeeper Coach Franky Vandendriessche Head of Performance Pieter Jacobs Video Analyst Gregory De Grauwe Team Manager Claude Gezelle ## Managers - [André Van Maldeghem](/source/Andr%C3%A9_Van_Maldeghem) & [Luc Maddens](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Luc_Maddens&action=edit&redlink=1) (1971–73) - [André Van Maldeghem](/source/Andr%C3%A9_Van_Maldeghem) & [Walter Maes](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Walter_Maes&action=edit&redlink=1) (1973–75) - [Georges Heylens](/source/Georges_Heylens) (1975–77) - [Marijan Brnčić](/source/Marijan_Brn%C4%8Di%C4%87) (1978–79) - [Raymond Mertens](/source/Raymond_Mertens) (1979) - [Henk Houwaart](/source/Henk_Houwaart) (1979–83) - [Wim Reijers](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wim_Reijers&action=edit&redlink=1) (1983–84) - [André Van Maldeghem](/source/Andr%C3%A9_Van_Maldeghem) (1984–85) - [Dimitri Davidović](/source/Dimitri_Davidovi%C4%87) (1985–86) - Aad Koudijzer (1986) - [Han Grijzenhout](/source/Han_Grijzenhout) (1986–87) - [Eddy Kinsabil](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eddy_Kinsabil&action=edit&redlink=1) (1987–88) - [Georges Leekens](/source/Georges_Leekens) (1988–89) - [Henk Houwaart](/source/Henk_Houwaart) (1989–90) - [René Desayere](/source/Ren%C3%A9_Desayere) (1990–91) - [Boudewijn Braem](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Boudewijn_Braem&action=edit&redlink=1) (1991–92) - [Johan Boskamp](/source/Johan_Boskamp) (1992 – January 1993) - [James Storme](/source/James_Storme) (1993–94) - [Patrick Van Geem](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Patrick_Van_Geem&action=edit&redlink=1) (1994–95) - [Regi Van Acker](/source/Regi_Van_Acker) (1995–98) - [Michel De Wolf](/source/Michel_De_Wolf) (1998–99) - [Luc Vanderschommen](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Luc_Vanderschommen&action=edit&redlink=1) (1999 – September 1999) - [Eddy Kinsabil](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eddy_Kinsabil&action=edit&redlink=1) (2000) - [Gerrit Laverge](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gerrit_Laverge&action=edit&redlink=1) (2000–01) - [Boudewijn Braem](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Boudewijn_Braem&action=edit&redlink=1) (2001–02) - [Francky Dekenne](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Francky_Dekenne&action=edit&redlink=1) (2002–03) - [Boudewijn Braem](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Boudewijn_Braem&action=edit&redlink=1) (2003 – February 2003) - [Angelo Nijskens](/source/Angelo_Nijskens) (2003 – January 2004) - [Manu Ferrera](/source/Manu_Ferrera) (1 July 2003 – 2004) - [Rudi Verkempinck](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rudi_Verkempinck&action=edit&redlink=1) (September 2004 – 2005) - [Manu Ferrera](/source/Manu_Ferrera) (2005 – 29 January 2006) - [Hein Vanhaezebrouck](/source/Hein_Vanhaezebrouck) (1 July 2006 – 30 June 2009) - [Georges Leekens](/source/Georges_Leekens) (1 July 2009 – 11 May 2010) - [Hein Vanhaezebrouck](/source/Hein_Vanhaezebrouck) (6 June 2010 – 30 June 2014) - [Yves Vanderhaeghe](/source/Yves_Vanderhaeghe) (2014–15) - [Johan Walem](/source/Johan_Walem) (2015–2016) - [Karim Belhocine](/source/Karim_Belhocine) (2016) - [Patrick De Wilde](/source/Patrick_De_Wilde) (2016) - [Karim Belhocine](/source/Karim_Belhocine) (2016) - [Bart Van Lancker](/source/Bart_Van_Lancker) (2016–2017) - [Karim Belhocine](/source/Karim_Belhocine) (2017) - [Yannis Anastasiou](/source/Yannis_Anastasiou) (2017) - [Glen De Boeck](/source/Glen_De_Boeck) (2017–2018) - [Yves Vanderhaeghe](/source/Yves_Vanderhaeghe) (2018–2021) - [Luka Elsner](/source/Luka_Elsner) (2021) - [Karim Belhocine](/source/Karim_Belhocine) (2021–2022) - [Adnan Čustović](/source/Adnan_%C4%8Custovi%C4%87) (2022) - [Bernd Storck](/source/Bernd_Storck) (2022–2023) - [Edward Still](/source/Edward_Still) (2023) - [Glen De Boeck](/source/Glen_De_Boeck) (2023) - [Freyr Alexandersson](/source/Freyr_Alexandersson) (2024) - [Yves Vanderhaeghe](/source/Yves_Vanderhaeghe) (2024–2025) - [Bernd Storck](/source/Bernd_Storck) (2025) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto_1-1) [Guldensporenstadion](http://kvk.be/nl/club/guldensporenstadion/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150811133000/http://kvk.be/nl/club/guldensporenstadion/) 11 August 2015 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), kvk.be (last check 30 March 2018) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Buyse, Frank (12 May 2015). ["Officieel: Maleisische miljardair Vincent Tan neemt KV Kortrijk over"](http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/cnt/dmf20150512_01677889) (in Dutch). Nieuwsblad – Sportwereld. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150514173307/http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/cnt/dmf20150512_01677889) from the original on 14 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["spelers – KV Kortrijk"](https://www.kvk.be/spelers/). *kvk.be*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120831091036/https://www.kvk.be/spelers/) from the original on 31 August 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2021. ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [KV Kortrijk](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:KV_Kortrijk). - [Official website](http://www.kvkortrijk.be/) - [Kortrijk](https://web.archive.org/web/20080901215343/http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/club=68495/domestic.html) at UEFA.com (archived) v t e Koninklijke Voetbalclub Kortrijk Stadia Guldensporen Stadion Matches 2012 Belgian Cup final Seasons 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25 v t e Belgian Pro League Seasons 1895–96 1896–97 1897–98 1898–99 1899–1900 1900–01 1901–02 1902–03 1903–04 1904–05 1905–06 1906–07 1907–08 1908–09 1909–10 1910–11 1911–12 1912–13 1913–14 1914–19 1919–20 1920–21 1921–22 1922–23 1923–24 1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25 2025–26 2026–27 Clubs 2026–27 clubs Anderlecht Antwerp Beveren Cercle Brugge Charleroi Club Brugge Genk Gent Kortrijk La Louvière Lommel OH Leuven Mechelen Sint-Truiden Standard Liège Union SG Westerlo Zulte Waregem Former clubs Active Beerschot Berchem Crossing Schaerbeek Dender EH Eupen Léopold Club Bruxelles Olympic Charleroi Patro Eisden Maasmechelen Racing Bruxelles Racing Gand Racing Jet Bruxelles Racing Mechelen RFC Liège RWDM Brussels Seraing (1922) Tienen RUS Tournai Tubantia Tubize Turnhout Defunct Eendracht Aalst AS Oostende Beerschot AC Beerschot VAC Belgica Edegem Beringen KSK Beveren Boom Athletic Club Bruxelles Daring Bruxelles Excelsior Bruxelles FC Bruxelles Olympia Bruxelles Skill Bruxelles Sporting Bruxelles Diest Germinal Beerschot Harelbeke Hasselt Heusden-Zolder Ixelles La Forestoise RAA La Louvière Lierse Lokeren Lommel Lyra Mons Montegnée Excel Mouscron Excelsior Mouscron Oostende Roeselare RWDM (1909) Seraing (1904) Sint-Niklaas Stade Leuven Tilleur Tongeren RRC Tournai Uccle Verbroedering Geel Verviétois Waregem Waterschei Statistics and awards Teams Champions Top scorers Current managers Professional footballer of the Year Golden Shoe Ebony Shoe Lion Award --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [KV Kortrijk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KV_Kortrijk) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KV_Kortrijk?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.