Lierse strengthened their defense even further on deadline day. The Pallieters brought in an extra defender in Jano Willems, much needed after a turbulent winter at the back. The 22-year-old comes from Club NXT and mainly wants to make minutes at the Lisp.
Due to the departure of Bo De Kerf and a heavy injury burden, Lierse was forced to intervene. This is how it turned out for Willems, who was trained at Club Brugge and has already played 52 matches in the Challenger Pro League with Club NXT. Last season he was slowed down by a broken ankle, after which his prospects in Bruges diminished. The move to Lierse now offers him a new start in a fully-fledged environment.
“I no longer really had the feeling that Club Brugge saw a future in me,” Willems explains The Newspaper. “Then you shouldn’t be left behind. At 22, I mainly have to play matches. Only by playing matches in the Challenger Pro League can I continue to grow. That is precisely the challenge and the strong will with which I come to Lierse.”
According to Willems, the choice for yellow-black was quickly made. He asked Kiany Vroman (former teammate) and Thibaut Van Acker, among others, who convinced him. “They were very complimentary about the club and the steps I could take there. Lierse gives young players opportunities and allows them to grow. Look at what happened to Bo De Kerf. A year ago, he still lived in the raw anonymity of the amateur series and now plays football in the highest league.”
Willems feels ready to join the group immediately. “The hunger is great, yes. I am very fit and feel ready to join the group. Well, I especially wanted to work in an adult team. That worked. The fact that it is at a real traditional club like Lierse makes it extra nice. I am really looking forward to my first appointment with the Lisp,” he concludes.
In episode 27 of the second season of Tijd voor Voetbal they discuss the managerial dismissal of Besnik Hasi at RSC Anderlecht, Charleroi that continues to convince in the JPL and a disappointing Super Sunday. That and much more in Time for Football.
