Four young talents sign first professional contract

YOUTH Four promising players from the Anderlecht academy have signed their first professional contract today. It concerns Kaïs Barry (photo), Aboubacar Conte, Michiel Haentjens and Lilian Vergeylen. All four are part of the 2006 generation, considered by Anderlecht as the best ever.



Kaïs Barry is the son of former goalkeeper Barry Boubacar Copa (former Beveren and Lokeren). He has been playing for Anderlecht since the age of 12 and is the captain of the U16. Barry is a central defender with a good pass in the feet.

Aboubacar Conte, a central midfielder, came over from Union two years ago. He learned to play soccer in the squares of Anderlecht and also played for Royal Léopold from Uccle.

Michiel Haentjens is the goalie of the U16. He has been playing for Anderlecht for five years now, which picked him up from Lokeren. The purple and white team still sees a lot of progression possibilities in him. 

Lilian Vergeylen came from OH Leuven to Anderlecht two years ago. His father Axel also played in Anderlecht's youth team and afterwards he made a career for Union, Denderleeuw and OH Leuven. Vergeylen is a right winger and a fixed value with the Belgian U16.

With this foursome, eight players of the 2006 crop have already signed a professional contract. Julian Duranville, Ethan Butera, Nassim Azaouzi and Aurelio Leo Virisario preceded them.

"With Kaïs, Aboubacar and Lilian, we are injecting even more talent into next season's U18 team. We also hope that these guys can get a taste of 1B next season," says youth coordinator Jean Kindermans. "At the U18, we are aiming for the title and the Youth League next season."