Arthur THEATE

Belgian international defender Arthur Theate began his playing career at Standard Liège, then with Genk, where he signed his first professional contract in 2018. After returning to Standard Liège for a season, between 2019 and 2020, he was taken on by KV Ostende. Solide left-sided defender, he became one of the major revelations of the 2020/2021 season, and was pre-selected by the Belgian national team. Having stood out with his excellent performances, he attracted the attention of Italian Serie A side Bologna, who signed him on loan with a buy-out clause in 2021. As a regular member of the Belgian squad, from the Under 15s right up to the U21s, he made his first appearance for the senior side on 16th November 2021. On 28th July 2022, he was signed by Stade Rennais for 19 Million Euros (+2 Million Euros bonus). After a solid first season in a Rennes shirt, scoring five goals from centre-back, he attracted a lot of attention from clubs overseas in the 2023 Summer transfer window. In the end, however, the Theate signed a one-year contract extension after the end of the transfer window, on 14th September 2023, tying him to Rennes until 2027. With a renewal of the squad in defence on the eve of the 2024/2025 season, Theate paid the price for below-par season for Stade Rennais, where the Red and Blacks missed out on qualification for Europe for the first time in six years. He was replaced in the hierarchy by new arrivals in the summer transfer window in August 2024. Despite the interest of several clubs, it was German side Eintract Frankfurt who came in to recruit the Belgian international defender, and Theate signed for them on 17th August 2024 in a deal worth 16 Million Euros and a potential 3 Million Euros in bonuses. During his two seasons in Rennes, he notched 8 goals in 81 appearances (in all competitions).