# RWDM Brussels

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Belgian football club

For the defunct football clubs of the same name, see [RWDM](/source/RWDM_(disambiguation)) and [R. Daring Club Molenbeek](/source/R._Daring_Club_Molenbeek).

You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Dutch. (February 2024) Click [show] for important translation instructions. View a machine-translated version of the Dutch article. Machine translation, like DeepL or Google Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must follow the LLM translation guideline, revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipedia. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. You must provide copyright attribution in the edit summary accompanying your translation by providing an interlanguage link to the source of your translation. A model attribution edit summary is Content in this edit is translated from the existing Dutch Wikipedia article at [[:nl:Racing White Daring Molenbeek (5479)]]; see its history for attribution. You may also add the template {{Translated|nl|Racing White Daring Molenbeek (5479)}} to the talk page. For more guidance, see Wikipedia:Translation.

Football club

RWDM Brussels Full name RWDM Brussels Founded 2015; 11 years ago (2015) (takeover) Ground Edmond Machtens Stadium Capacity 12,266 Owner John Textor Caretaker manager Christ Bruno League Challenger Pro League 2024–25 Challenger Pro League, 3rd of 16 Website www.rwdm.brussels/en Home colours Away colours Current season

**RWDM Brussels**[1] is a Belgian professional [football](/source/Association_football) club based in [Molenbeek-Saint-Jean](/source/Molenbeek-Saint-Jean), a municipality of [Brussels](/source/Brussels). The team competes in the [Challenger Pro League](/source/Challenger_Pro_League), the second tier of the [Belgian football league system](/source/Belgian_football_league_system).

The club was previously known as **Racing White Daring Molenbeek** (RWDM) until June 2025, when it briefly rebranded to **Daring Brussels** and formally reclaimed [matricule](/source/Matricule) 2, originally assigned to the now-defunct [Daring Club de Bruxelles](/source/R._Daring_Club_Molenbeek), founded in 1895. While the present-day club was founded in the 21st century, it identifies itself with the legacy of several predecessor entities, including [Racing White](/source/Racing_White), [RWD Molenbeek](/source/R.W.D._Molenbeek_(1909)) (1973–2002), and the original Daring club.[2]

Daring Brussels play their home matches at the [Edmond Machtens Stadium](/source/Edmond_Machtens_Stadium), wear red, black and white as their traditional colours, and incorporate gold detailing in their crest as a reference to early club heritage.[2]

## History

Former RWDM crest

The club was founded in 2015. [Standard Wetteren](/source/K._Standaard_Wetteren) had folded that year and merged with another club, liberating its [matricule](/source/Football_in_Belgium#Matricule_numbers) (registration number), which was sold to people wanting to revive the former [RWDM](/source/R.W.D._Molenbeek_(1909)) with matricule 47, which folded in 2002. As such the new club was named RWDM47.

The club quickly rose through the ranks, winning two consecutive promotions from the fifth to the third tier. In December 2021, the club announced that it had come under the ownership of American business executive [John Textor](/source/John_Textor), who also holds stakes in English side [Crystal Palace](/source/Crystal_Palace_F.C.), Brazilian side [Botafogo](/source/Botafogo_de_Futebol_e_Regatas) and French side [Lyon](/source/Olympique_Lyonnais).[3]

Historical league performance chart of RWDM and its predecessors

RWDM's academy is in Belgium, and many footballers have come from there, notably [Adnan Januzaj](/source/Adnan_Januzaj) and [Michy Batshuayi](/source/Michy_Batshuayi) to name a few Belgian internationals as well as a few internationals for other countries.[4][5]

On 13 May 2023, RWDM secured promotion to the [Belgian Pro League](/source/Belgian_Pro_League) by winning the [Challenger Pro League](/source/Challenger_Pro_League) title in a narrow 1–0 victory over [RSCA Futures](/source/RSCA_Futures), with [Mickaël Biron](/source/Micka%C3%ABl_Biron) scoring the winning goal.[6][7] They went straight back down at the end of their first season back in the top flight and the following season narrowly missed out on promotion, wasting a strong lead with just two games to go and eventually ending just short of automatic promotion.

The logo of the new club, as proposed on June 5, 2025

On 5 June 2025, the club announced that it would adopt a new name, an initiative proposed by its American owner, John Textor. Effective 1 July 2025, the club would be known as Daring Brussels, a reference to the legacy of the historic [Daring Club de Bruxelles](/source/Daring_Club_de_Bruxelles), originally founded in 1895. As part of the rebranding, the club planned to adopt a new logo and assume matricule 2. The official club colours were revised to include red, white, black, and gold. The decision provoked significant backlash from supporters of RWDM, many of whom expressed strong attachment to the traditional name and the original red, white, and black colour scheme.[8] The rebranding also drew criticism from the [municipality of Molenbeek](/source/Molenbeek-Saint-Jean), which had previously granted the club free use of the [Edmond Machtens Stadium](/source/Edmond_Machtens_Stadium) on the condition that the name "Molenbeek" be retained.[9]

On 7 July 2025, after protests from supporters, it was decided that the name change would not go ahead and the name "RWDM", the old logo and the colours would be retained while the word "Brussels" would be added to the name to support the club's international interests. The club will also continue under matricule 2.[1]

## Rivalries and fanbase

RWDM's traditional rival is [Union Saint-Gilloise](/source/Union_Saint-Gilloise),[10] which goes back to the 19th century when RWDM were known as [Daring Club](/source/Daring_Club_Bruxelles).[11] RWDM also have a rivalry with [RSC Anderlecht](/source/R.S.C._Anderlecht), with just 3 kilometres separating the two clubs and the fixtures often taking over the mantle of the "Derby of Brussels" in the professional era due to Union's relative decline. There is a common perception that RWDM's fan base is more working-class and rooted in the northern suburbs of Brussels, in contrast to Union Saint-Gilloise, which is often associated with left-leaning 'bobo' supporters and expatriates, while R.S.C. Anderlecht attracts fans from across the country.

RWDM also have rivalries with [Eendracht Aalst](/source/S.C._Eendracht_Aalst), [Lierse](/source/Lierse_Kempenzonen),[12] and [RFC Liège](/source/RFC_Li%C3%A8ge).[13]

RWDM drew support from across the Belgian capital due to its merger of 4 teams, as well as in the [Periphery](/source/Brussels_Periphery), where many *Brusseleirs* migrated to, in contrast to the more locally based Saint-Gilles support and the nationwide Anderlecht support.[14] It had high attendances for a big part of its existence as [RWDM](/source/R.W.D._Molenbeek_(1909)), until financial troubles and the subsequent changeover with Johan Vermeesch in charge of the new club led to the name change to [FC Brussels](/source/FC_Brussels),[15] and caused a split in the fanbase. During their years as FC Brussels, the [Ultra](/source/Ultras) group Brussels Power 05 emerged,[16] while many of the "old school" [casuals](/source/Casual_(subculture)) "Brussels Boys" boycotted. These days both supporter groups sit in the same *Bloc A*.

## Players

### First-team squad

- *As of 3 March, 2026*.[17]

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 BEL Bill Lathouwers 4 DF BEL Djovkar Doudaev 8 MF NCA Jacob Montes 9 FW CTA Usman Simbakoli 10 FW FRA Gaëtan Robail 11 MF MAR Ilyes Ziani 13 DF GUI Madiou Keita 14 MF BEL Olivier Dumont 17 FW URU Valentín Adamo 19 FW ARG Francisco Montoro 20 FW CAN Kwasi Poku 23 GK FRA Justin Bengui (on loan from Lyon) 26 FW BEL Pjotr Kestens No. Pos. Nation Player 27 DF FRA Yacine Chaib (on loan from Lyon) 28 GK BEL Guillaume Hubert 29 MF MAR Aïman Maurer 30 MF MAR Ali Loune 31 DF BEL Noah Dodeigne 47 DF BEL Manoël Verhaeghe 55 FW NZL Victor Barbosa 59 MF FRA Tom Moore 60 MF POL Oskar Szulc 70 GK BDI Mattéo Nkurunziza 83 DF BEL Mats Lemmens 99 DF BEL Tibo Persyn

### 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 — DF BEL Xavier Preijs (at Schaerbeek until 30 June 2026) — DF BEL Matteo Vandendaele (at Diegem Sport until 30 June 2026) No. Pos. Nation Player — FW BEL Frederic Soelle Soelle (at RFC Liège until 30 June 2026)

## Club staff

Position[17] Staff Chairman & Owner John Textor President Thierry Dailly Head Coach Yannick Ferrera Assistant Coach Pepijn Mertens Siebe van der Bosch Goalkeeper Coach Thierry Berghmans

## Honours

- **Challenger Pro League** - **Winner (1):** [2022–23](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_Challenger_Pro_League)

## See also

- [RWD Molenbeek](/source/R.W.D._Molenbeek_(1909)) (1909)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RWDM_Brussels_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RWDM_Brussels_1-1) ["RWDM behoudt iconische naam en voegt 'Brussels' toe"](https://www.bruzz.be/actua/sport/rwdm-behoudt-iconische-naam-en-voegt-brussels-toe-2025-07-07). *www.bruzz.be* (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 July 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Daring_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Daring_2-1) ["Daring Brussels"](https://web.archive.org/web/20250618204700/https://www.daring.brussels/fr). *Daring Brussels* (in French). Archived from [the original](https://www.daring.brussels/fr) on 18 June 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Crystal Palace shareholder John Textor in talks to buy Belgian side RWD Molenbeek"](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3686551/2021/12/23/crystal-palace-shareholder-john-textor-in-talks-to-buy-belgian-side-rwd-molenbeek/). *The Athletic*. 23 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Sky Sports Scout - Adnan Januzaj"](https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/15198/8966349/sky-sports-scout-adnan-januzaj). *SkySports*. 21 May 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Michy Batshuayi: The SpongeBob-loving Spurs target tearing up Ligue 1"](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/michy-batshuayi-spongebob-loving-spurs-target-tearing-ligue-1). *fourfourtwo.com*. 23 December 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["WE ARE BACK IN THE FIRST DIVISION !"](https://web.archive.org/web/20230515134054/https://www.rwdm.be/nl/we-are-back-in-the-first-division/). *RWDM* (Press release) (in Dutch). 15 May 2023. Archived from [the original](https://www.rwdm.be/nl/we-are-back-in-the-first-division/) on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["RWDM promoveert! Brusselse traditieclub volgend seizoen opnieuw in hoogste klasse na zege tegen RSCA Futures"](https://www.hln.be/belgisch-voetbal/rwdm-promoveert-brusselse-traditieclub-volgend-seizoen-opnieuw-in-hoogste-klasse-na-zege-tegen-rsca-futures~a3a60844/). *Het Laatste Nieuws* (in Flemish). 13 May 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Opschudding in Brussels voetbal: RWDM verandert naam in Daring Brussels, fans zijn malcontent"](https://sporza.be/nl/2025/06/06/opschudding-in-brussels-voetbal-rwdm-verandert-naam-in-daring-brussels-fans-zijn-malcontent~1749198945515/). *[Sporza](/source/Sporza)* (in Dutch). 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Molenbeek dreigt Daring Brussels uit stadion te zetten na uitgommen RWDM"](https://web.archive.org/web/20250613213842/https://www.bruzz.be/actua/sport/molenbeek-dreigt-daring-brussels-uit-stadion-te-zetten-na-uitgommen-rwdm-2025-06-09) [Molenbeek threatens to evict Daring Brussels from stadium after erasing RWDM name]. *BRUZZ* (in Dutch). 9 June 2025. Archived from [the original](https://www.bruzz.be/actua/sport/molenbeek-dreigt-daring-brussels-uit-stadion-te-zetten-na-uitgommen-rwdm-2025-06-09) on 13 June 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["RWDM-fans boycotten Zwanzederby: 'Union heeft geen respect voor ons'"](https://www.bruzz.be/sport/rwdm-fans-boycotten-zwanzederby-union-heeft-geen-respect-voor-ons-2017-12-28). *www.bruzz.be* (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 September 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Union Saint-Gilloise – RWD Molenbeek : ici c'est Bruxelles - Les Cahiers du football"](https://www.cahiersdufootball.net/article-union-saint-gilloise-rwd-molenbeek-ici-c-est-bruxelles-6163). *www.cahiersdufootball.net* (in French). Retrieved 6 September 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["RWDM - Lierse (2002): 1-0"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf_lBrCWS7w&ab_channel=FilipVanderElst). *youtube.com*. 17 May 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["RWDM zakt uiteindelijk zonder supporters af naar Luik"](https://www.bruzz.be/sport/rwdm-zakt-uiteindelijk-zonder-supporters-af-naar-luik-2019-01-08). *www.bruzz.be* (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 September 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["'Er is een markt voor drie Brusselse voetbalclubs in eerste klasse'"](https://www.bruzz.be/sport/er-een-markt-voor-drie-brusselse-voetbalclubs-eerste-klasse-2019-09-11). *www.bruzz.be* (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 September 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Football - D 2 Le déménagement"](https://www.dhnet.be/archive/football-d-2-le-demenagement-51b8517fe4b0de6db9a30d53). *DH Les Sports +* (in French). 3 September 2002. Retrieved 6 September 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Interview with Brussels Power (FC Brussels - Belgium)"](https://www.ultras-tifo.net/interviews/29-interview-with-brussels-power-fc-brussels-belgium.html). *Ultras-Tifo*. Retrieved 6 September 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-players_and_staff_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-players_and_staff_17-1) ["A-kern-Staff"](https://www.rwdm.be/nl/team/noyau-a-nl/). RWDM. Retrieved 1 January 2025.

## External links

- Media related to [RWDM Brussels](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:RWDM_Brussels) at Wikimedia Commons

- [Official website](http://www.rwdm47.be) (in French and Dutch)

v t e RWDM Brussels – current squad 1 Lathouwers 4 Doudaev 6 Huguinho 7 Sapata 8 Montes 9 Simbakoli 10 Robail 11 Ziani 13 Keita 14 Dumont 17 Adamo 19 Montoro 20 Poku 23 Bengui 26 Kestens 27 Chaib 28 Hubert 29 Maurer 30 Loune 31 Dodeigne 47 Verhaeghe 55 Barbosa 56 Bazelmans 70 Nkurunziza 77 Segovia 83 Lemmens 99 Persyn Barry Espinosa Manager: Bruno

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

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [RWDM Brussels](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RWDM_Brussels) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RWDM_Brussels?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.