Théo Leoni is spending his first season abroad near Reims. Staying in Belgium was however an option…especially with the Union’s proposal.
It was only on the first of September thatAnderlecht noted the departure of Théo Leoni to Reims. Before that, a lot happened behind the scenes. After returning to his more complicated than expected relationship with Besnik Hasi, the 25-year-old midfielder also spoke about the call from Union Saint-Gilloise.
“The last hours of the transfer window, they called to see my situation. But I was already in contact with Reims,” he confirms to RTL. The rest is known: Leoni preferred to decline to sign for Reims.
Not the same choice as Noah Sadiki, but not the same plan B
“I respect the Union, it’s a big club in Belgium, they played in the Champions League and still dominate the championship. It’s more with regard to Anderlecht that I refused, thinking of everything I experienced there,” explains Leoni.
“I said that if I only had one club in Belgium, it would be Anderlecht. So I wanted to leave the championship, I did not want to defend other colors in Belgium,” continues the former darling of Lotto Park.
Théo Léoni is proud to be able to continue looking in the mirror without betraying myself: “I wanted to keep my principles: beyond being a good football player, I wanted people to know me and remember me through the person I am. I am a real person and I am not going to change because there is more money or ambition on the side. Anderlecht has been my favorite club since I was 12 years old.”
Also read… “There were a lot of unclear situations”: Théo Leoni looks back on the reasons for his departure from Anderlecht›
“I didn’t want to defend other colors in Belgium” – Théo Leoni confirms, the Union took its information during the last summer transfer window. 👀 #RTLsports pic.twitter.com/5WWIbJEIK2
— RTL sports (@RTLsportsbe) February 19, 2026
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