Björn Engels

Olympiacos In the summer transfer window of 2017, Engels was linked with a move to English sides Arsenal, Fulham and Stoke City. Ultimately, Greek Super League side Olympiacos agreed with the player's side on 29 August 2017, while Club Brugge agreed on the transfer with Olympiacos for an estimated €7.1 million fee on 30 August 2017. The following day, on 31 August 2017, Olympiacos announced the signing of Engels. Upon joining Olympiacos, Engels said of the move, quoting: "this seems to me the perfect step in my career. Olympiakos is the most important team in Greece, and I'm very happy to be here." On 22 October 2017, Engels's goal earned the victory in the derby against rivals PAOK. Belgian centre-back struck six minutes after half-time, bundling the ball home after a Kostas Fortounis free-kick caused panic in the PAOK penalty box to win three vital points for the defending champions.

On summer 2018, after being told he was not part of new manager Pedro Martins's plans, Engels tried to find a new club to continue his career.

Loan to Reims In August 2018, Engels joined Reims, newly promoted to Ligue 1 at the end of the 2017–18 season, on a season-long loan from Olympiacos. Engels performed solidly with Reims throughout the year, playing in 33 Ligue 1 games. Engels helped Reims rise to eighth position in the table.

Reims On 28 March 2019, Reims announced they had triggered the option-to-buy clause in Engels’ contract for an estimated €4 million fee following a strong 2018–19 Ligue 1 campaign.

Aston Villa On 16 July 2019, Engels signed for Premier League side Aston Villa for an estimated €8 million fee. Reims' director-general Mathieu Lacour and president Jean-Pierre Caillot described that Engels' short time with the club was due to an agreement to allow him to join any Premier League club that made a considerable offer. Engels made his debut on the first day of the 2019–20 season, in a 3–1 away defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. On 16 February 2020, he scored his first goal for Aston Villa in a 3–2 home defeat, also to Tottenham Hotspur, a game in which he also made a mistake in injury time to allow Son Heung-min to score the winning goal.

Engels missed the end of the season and the start of the following after suffering a serious thigh injury in a behind-closed-doors training match. He was in contention for a start once again following his return, but did not receive any playing time, as he had fallen behind Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause in the pecking order.

Royal Antwerp On 18 June 2021, Aston Villa announced that a transfer had been agreed for Engels to return to Belgium and join Royal Antwerp.

International career After going through the ranks of Belgium U17, Belgium U18 and Belgium U19, Engels received his first call up to the senior Belgium squad in March 2016 for a friendly against Portugal, but didn't play. Two months later, Engels was again called up for the senior Belgium squad ahead of the Euro 2016 tournament. However, Engels suffered a thigh injury that ruled him out of the tournament.

After being left out the senior squad, Engels was called up by the Belgium U21 for the first time on 26 August 2016 and made his Belgium U21 debut on 2 September 2016 against Malta U21, scoring a winning goal, in a 3–2 win.

Personal life Engels has a brother named Manice. He is in a relationship with his partner, Evangalista from Liverpool, whom he has been dating since 2012. The couple have a son born in July 2017.

Career statistics Club

Honours Club Brugge Belgian Pro League: 2015–16 Belgian Cup: 2014–15 Belgian Super Cup: 2016

Aston Villa EFL Cup runner-up: 2019–20

Antwerp Belgian Cup: 2022–23