Real goalkeeper
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Thibaut Courtois becomes a shareholder in his youth club KRC Genk. As the Jupiler Pro League club announced, the Real Madrid goalkeeper is making a minority investment through his investment company Nxtplay. The 34-year-old, who also owns and shares in FC Le Mans, was trained with the Belgians from 1999 to 2011.
Courtois is the first external investor since the club’s football operations were spun off into a separate company earlier this year. “The fact that Thibaut, of all people, is the first partner makes this step historic,” the club said in a statement. This structural change should enable the club to position itself more strongly on the international market.
Courtois is quoted as saying: “I have pursued excellence all my life. At KRC Genk I feel the same fire and ambition. This investment really feels like coming home. With this commitment I want to help the club continue to grow and strengthen its sporting ambitions. From Limburg to the top of Europe.” Genk finished seventh in the domestic league last season. In the Europa League they failed in the round of 16 against SC Freiburg.
