Louis Verstraete

Louis Verstraete (born 4 May 1999) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for A-League club Auckland FC.

Louis Verstraete

Personal information
Date of birth	(1999-05-04) 4 May 1999 (age 26)
Place of birth	Brussels, Belgium
Height	1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Auckland FC
Number	6
Youth career
0000–2016	Gent
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2016–2020	Gent	15	(1)
2018–2019	→ Waasland-Beveren (loan)	41	(3)
2020–2021	Antwerp	7	(0)
2020	→ Oostende (loan)	4	(0)
2021	→ Waasland-Beveren (loan)	5	(3)
2021–2024	Beveren	59	(3)
2024–	Auckland FC	23	(2)
International career‡
2016	Belgium U17	5	(0)
2016	Belgium U18	1	(0)
2016–2018	Belgium U19	10	(1)
2019	Belgium U21	3	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 26 May 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 18:41, 16 October 2019 (UTC)

Club career

Gent

In 2016, Verstraete signed a contract until 2018 with K.A.A. Gent's first team.^[1] On 22 December 2016, he made his senior team debut in the Belgian First Division A against Anderlecht, replacing Jérémy Perbet in the 83rd minute.^[2] On 16 March 2017, he scored his first senior goal for Gent in the UEFA Europa League round of 16 return game at Genk, making him the youngest goal scorer of that season's competition.^[3]

Loan to Waasland-Beveren

In December 2018, Verstraete moved to Belgium side Waasland-Beveren, on a loan deal until the end of the season.^[4]

Royal Antwerp

In January 2020, Verstraete signed a contract for 3.5 years with Jupiler Pro League club Royal Antwerp, and was loaned to KV Oostende for the first six months.^[5]

Loan to Waasland-Beveren (second stint)

In January 2021, Verstraete moved again on loan to Waasland-Beveren, until the end of the season.^[6] The loan deal includes a purchase option.^[6] On 18 April 2021, Verstraete became match winner for Waasland-Beveren in a crucial must-win match against Oud-Heverlee Leuven, in which he scored two goals to help the club avoid direct relegation.^[7]

Auckland FC

On 17 September 2024, Verstraete joined Auckland FC alongside two other international visa players, Luis Felipe Gallegos and Guillermo May, agreeing a move to Auckland FC for their inaugural A-League Men's season.

Career statistics

As of 7 December 2018^[8]

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Gent	2016–17	Belgian First Division A	5	0	0	0	3	1	2	0	8	1
	2017–18		3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1
	Total		8	1	0	0	3	1	2	0	13	2
Waasland-Beveren (loan)	2017–18	Belgian First Division A	3	0	0	0	0	0	8	1	11	1
	2018–19		25	1	1	0	0	0	5	1	31	2
	Total		28	1	1	0	0	0	13	2	42	3
K.V. Oostende (loan)	2019–20	Belgian First Division A	4	0	0	0	–		0	0	4	0
Career total			40	2	1	0	3	1	15	2	59	5

Honours

Auckland FC

• A-League Premiership: 2024-25