Dennis Praet

Dennis Praet (born 14 May 1994) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Belgian Pro League club Mechelen.

Early life Praet was born in Leuven, Flemish Brabant.

Club career Youth at Genk Praet joined the Genk youth academy in 2003 at the age of eight. He went on to spend most of his youth career at Genk, where he quickly made an impression and played for the club's youth teams until 2010. He was part of a strong generation at the club and scouts considered him one of the top talents. He became part of Belgium's youth teams and attracted the interest of clubs like Arsenal, Barcelona, Ajax and Lille.

Anderlecht

In May 2010 Praet transferred from Genk to Anderlecht turning down more lucrative offers.

Praet debuted in Anderlecht's first team on 21 September 2011 starting in the Belgian Cup against Lommel United and provided two assists in a 4–0 win.

During the 2012–13 season, Praet played regularly for Anderlecht as the club won their second straight league title.

Praet made his 100th competitive appearance for the club in the league match at Club Brugge on 31 August 2014. On 16 September, he scored away to Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League group stage to put Anderlecht in front, but the Turkish club equalised in added time. His first league goal of the 2014–15 season came in the 2–2 draw at home to Club Brugge when he scored Anderlecht's opening goal to equalise midway through the first-half. Like his strike against Galatasaray in the Champions League, it went in off the post. He scored in four consecutive games for Anderlecht between 14 and 26 December 2014, with the league wins over Oostende, Waasland Beveren and Westerlo and the Belgian Cup win against Zulte Waregem.

This rich of form at the end of the year was rewarded at a ceremony on 14 January 2015 where Praet won the 2014 Belgian Golden Shoe, the annual award given to the best player in the Jupiler Pro League for the previous calendar year.

Sampdoria On 24 August 2016, Praet's move to Sampdoria was finalised. Sampdoria paid a transfer fee of €10 million. After being heavily linked with a move to reigning Serie A champions Juventus during the 2018 summer transfer window, in November 2018, Praet signed a contract extension with Sampdoria, extending his stay at the club until 2021.

Praet was an ever present in the Sampdoria side during his three-year spell, appearing in 98 Serie A games and scoring four goals, as the club finished in the top half of the table all three seasons. On 18 August 2019, he made his league debut as a 73rd-minute substitute in a 1–1 draw against Chelsea. On 11 January 2020, Praet scored his first goal for Leicester City in 1–2 defeat against Southampton. On 20 September 2020, he scored his second goal in a 4–2 win over Burnley.

Torino (loan) On 31 August 2021, Praet joined Torino on a season-long loan.

Return to Leicester Praet returned to Leicester for the 2022–23 season, scoring his only goal of the Premier League campaign in a 4–2 away win over Aston Villa on 4 February 2023. However, the club were relegation after ending up in the 18th position on the league table.

In the 2023–24 season, he achieved the EFL Championship with the club, securing promotion back to the Premier League. On 7 June 2024, he was among the players announced to depart the club upon the conclusion of the season.

Antwerp On 6 September 2024, Praet signed a contract with Antwerp for two seasons with an option for a third.

Mechelen On 16 July 2026, Praet signed a two-year contract with Mechelen.

International career Praet has represented Belgium at every age group under-15 and older making an appearance in the U21 team a mere three years after first playing for the U15 team.

Career statistics Club

International

Belgium score listed first, score column indicates score after each Praet goal

Honours Anderlecht Belgian Pro League: 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14 EFL Championship: 2023–24

Individual Best player of AEGON Future Cup: 2011 Belgian Golden Shoe: 2014