Victor Barbosa (RWDM Brussels | Belgium)

Been waiting on this one to be confirmed for a while now. Was told a couple of months back that he'd signed. Just had to wait for the confirmation.

Victor Barbosa lands in Belgium with RWDM Brussels in the Challenger Pro League (2nd tier)

Senior team deal? 

Brazilian heritage. Only turned 18 in March, so should be age eligible for 2027 U20 WC I imagine. 

RWDM Brussels has an American owner and was in the top tier Pro League 2023/24 season. Last season they made the 2nd tier Promotion playoffs.

coochiee

Senior team deal? 

Brazilain heritage. Only turned 18 in March, so should be age eligible for 2027 U20 WC I imagine.

First team deal. Two years with a club option I've been told.

First Kiwi to play in Belgium since Libby?

HattyCW

First Kiwi to play in Belgium since Libby?

And the second since Billy Harris?

Kris Bouckenooghe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Bouckenooghe

coochiee

Kris Bouckenooghe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Bouckenooghe

yes, of course! nice one. good player

Only other men's players I could find:

English born and raised former AW Maurice Tillotson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Tillotson

Bryce McMillen, one appearance in the 3rd tier in 18/19, and played in the 5th tier  (Belgian Division 3) in 22/23, is apparently still in Belgium.
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bryce-mcmillen/profil/spieler/606062

Does anyone know if we've ever had any women play in Belgium?

First pre-season campaign underway for Barbosa as he's named in a 26 man squad for a training camp in Switzerland.

Summer Camp | Squad List 📃 pic.twitter.com/LftzBe68GE

— RWDM Brussels (@rwdm_brussels) July 16, 2025

Played 60 minutes in a pre season friendly against Swiss Super League side FC Lausanne Sport over the weekend, which was won 4-2 by RWDM. Information on the match is pretty limited overall though. But basically two fresh XI's for both halves.

Match was two 60 minute halves, with breaks on the half hour mark.

Another pre season appearance for Barbosa - Got between 30-45 minutes at LB in the second half of a 0-0 draw with fellow Eagle Football Group club, and French Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyon. 

Details are sketchy, and as far as I can see there was no official report that's come out on the match. Have pieced together information from highlights and some asking around.

As an aside - Victor also trialled with Lyon earlier this year after first heading over to Europe. Belgium with RWDM first, then referred into Lyon, before signing his pro deal in Belgium.

He's young, but I feel like he's one we're going to have to keep an eye on over the next couple of years.

Well who knows French big boys Lyon, may soon need to sign a whole new squad. They are appealing a decision to have them relegated to Ligue Two by French football's financial watchdog (DNCG).

https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/uefa-await-lyon-relegation-appeal-before-palace-europa-league-decision-2025-06-30/

So if Barbosa impresses at related club RWDM, who knows what could happen. Longest of long shots yes.

NZ U20 coach Greeny will be watching his progress.

#55 for Barbosa as one of the 27 named by RWDM Brussels as part of their first team squad for the Belgian Challenger Pro League season.

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25/26 season kicks off this Sunday morning against Lommel.

Was thinking about Barbosa the other day and since there's been no updates here on his progress for a while now, I decided to have a look to see how he's going.

Has made seven appearances in the U21 league, four starts and three off the bench, no goals or assists, one yellow. He is yet to make a matchday squad for the senior team.

RWDM U21 are currently sitting top of the league with a five point lead 10 rounds in.

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