Today let's talk about Belgian side Union Saint Gilles. For those who don't know, Union has three goalkeepers under contract.
Anthony Moris
32 years (contract till 2023, option for 1 extra year)
Marketvalue: € 1.500.000
Lucas Pirard
27 years (contract till 2022)
Marketvalue: € 400.000
Tibo Herbots
21 years (contract till 2023)
Marketvalue: € 50.000 (under23 in SO5 till 2025)
The number 1 without a doubt this season in Union, and one of the best goalkeepers in the Jupiler Pro League, Anthony Moris.
Not the typical career for a good goalkeeper, especially when i tell you that before the current season, he didn't even play 20 games in the 1st division and he is 32 years old.
Playing his youth for Standard, at the age of 21 he could actually make his professional debut for them, but could never win the main spot in goal. Moving to Sint-Truiden on loan did give him some gametime, but not enough to convince them in signing him. Coming back from loan, in Standard they saw him as the 3rd or 4th goalkeeper, something he didn't want, so they agreed to stop the contract on mutual agreement.
A young inexperienced goalkeeper without a team by the beginning of september, the typical story of a goalie who would end up playing in 3th or 4th division. But after several months without a contract, training with KV Mechelen, he convinced the club in signing him in winter time. Not as the 1st goalkeeper off course. Making a good impression on training ended when he had a huge injury, losing more then 6 months of game time.
After his return, it was clear he was the back-up goalkeeper of experienced goalie Gillet, who was on loan at that time from italian side Catania.
When Mechelen decided to not sign a new goalie and let Coosemans and Moris fight out to become number 1, it was actually Moris who won the battle and played more then 10 matches for them.
When it looked like his career really took off, it was again injuries who let him down. After a smaller injury for a couple of weeks, Coosemans performing quiet well, he couldn't win his spot again. But the big injury he had a few years before, repeated itself and he lost again more then 6 months. He would never play a match for them anymore.
After his contract finished, he signed for 3rd division team Virton, and as mentioned before, for most of the goalies, that's it for professional football. But good performances and playing for a national team (Luxemburg) gave him the chance to sign for Union (in 2nd division at that time), where he became the clear number 1 in the team and won the title in the division.
This season his performances are absolutely great, achieving the number 1 spot at that age in the 1st division with a great team performance, the goalkeeper for next season will be Moris.
A team where a lot of players will want to go to a bigger team after their huge season, Union is going to spend a lot of time searching replacements. Would make sense they are not spending time on searching a goalie, at least not for 1st goalkeeper.
Second goalie Pirard is a bit the opposite story of Moris. Very talented goalie also from Standard youth, got loaned out to a 2nd division club (Lommel) to play a full season at the age of 20. Making a move to Sint-Truiden where for 2 seasons he played a lot of matches in the Jupiler pro league (not always the undisputed number 1 though, he played more then 50% of the matches), his 3th season though he lost completely his spot to Steppe (read my Sint-Truiden article if you want the full story on Steppe here). Waasland-Beveren (in the JPL at that time) actually paid a bit of money for him on signing him as their new number 1, but there neither he could convince enough, although he got the chance to prove himself in more then 10 matches.
Moving to Union, it was clear from the beginning he would be number 2. Contract ending this summer, it's a big question mark what he wants to do and achieve. I dont think a lot of 1st division teams are waiting for him as their 1st goalkeeper,
but as a 2nd gk he could have his value in the league, maybe would be logic he just stays in Union then and enjoy the European campaign next year. Or if he wants a number 1 spot, move to a 2nd division team.
Young 3rd goalie Herbots, also had his youth in Standard, and as well played for Sint-Truiden, athough not any professional matches. With the Union B team next year in 4th division, would make sense he is playing his matches there and win some experience.
Disclaimer: this is not any Sorare or financial advice, i am just expressing my own ideas. Do your own research if you would want to buy or sell one of their cards