Cercle Brugge drops purchase option on Pieter Gerkens, ending loan

Cercle Brugge has decided not to trigger the purchase option on midfielder Pieter Gerkens, meaning the 30‑year‑old will return to KAA Gent after a season‑long loan. The decision comes despite Gerkens’ contract running to summer 2027 and a market value of about €1 million.

Cercle Brugge announced that the purchase clause in Gerkens’ loan contract will not be activated, ending any chance of a permanent move. Club officials also noted that negotiations for extending his stay have stalled, echoing the earlier decision to let Dante Vanzeir return after an extended loan.

Pieter Gerkens, born on 13 August 1995, completed his youth training at Racing Genk before breaking through at STVV. He secured a transfer to Anderlecht in 2017, where he enjoyed strong periods in the Belgian top flight.

After Anderlecht, Gerkens joined Antwerp, contributing to the club’s league title and Belgian Cup triumph. His performances there reinforced his reputation as a versatile midfielder capable of both attacking and controlling play.

In 2023, Gerkens moved to KAA Gent and was loaned to Cercle Brugge for the 2023‑24 season to gain regular minutes. While he featured regularly, the club concluded that his contributions were insufficient to justify a full transfer.

Gerkens remains under contract with Gent until the summer of 2027, and both parties are now seeking a solution as no future appears at the club. His extensive experience across Genk, STVV, Anderlecht, Antwerp, Gent and Cercle Brugge, combined with a market value near €1 million, may attract interested clubs this summer.