The Premier League giants secure a towering shot-stopper in a late summer swoop, triggering a crucial windfall for the Dutch academy that first honed his talent.
PSV are set to receive a significant training compensation payment after former academy goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans secured a €35 million move from KRC Genk to Liverpool.
As reported by PSV Watcher Rik Elfrink of Eindhovens Dagblad, PSV will collect around €225,000 from the transfer of goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, despite the Eindhoven club losing a player who was once regarded as a promising talent within its academy.
According to Belgian media, Liverpool have agreed to pay €35 million for the KRC Genk shot-stopper as the Premier League club moves late in the summer transfer window.
Brughmans spent three years at PSV between 2019 and 2022 before leaving the academy at the age of 14 and returning to Genk. During his time in Eindhoven, he played for PSV in the seasons when he was 12, 13 and 14.
The training compensation rules mean PSV are entitled to 0.25 per cent of any future transfer fee, resulting in a payment of roughly €225,000 from Brughmans' move to Liverpool.
From PSV Academy to €35m Liverpool Move
The financial return is considerably smaller than the €35 million headline figure, and PSV can look back on Brughmans' departure with some regret.
The club had originally intended to retain the young goalkeeper, but Brughmans ultimately chose to return to Genk. What appeared to be an unfortunate academy decision at the time has now taken on a different significance following his spectacular rise.
Genk are reportedly receiving €33 million plus €2 million in bonuses, according to Belgian outlets including Het Laatste Nieuws.
Liverpool's willingness to commit such a substantial fee underlines their belief in Brughmans' potential.
The towering goalkeeper is not expected to immediately become Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper. The English club is still considering the best environment for his development.
Genk’s Goalkeeping Factory
Brughmans' rise also adds another chapter to Genk's remarkable record of producing goalkeepers.
Thibaut Courtois, now at Real Madrid, began his professional career at the Belgian club, while Maarten Vandevoordt developed there before moving to RB Leipzig. Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders is another product of Genk's goalkeeping system.
Brughmans, who was known as Lucca Kiaba during his time at PSV, has now joined that growing list of highly valued goalkeeping prospects.
For PSV, the €225,000 payment offers at least some financial recognition for the years invested in his development.
PSV have long understood the importance of developing young players capable of generating future value, both on the pitch and financially.
Brughmans' case is an unusual one. PSV helped develop the goalkeeper during three formative years, but his decision to return to Genk ultimately meant the Belgian club would benefit most from his eventual breakthrough.
Still, the training compensation mechanism ensures PSV receive a payment when the goalkeeper makes his move to Liverpool.
From a €35 million transfer, PSV's share may be modest, but the story also illustrates how quickly the value of elite youth development can change.
Brughmans left Eindhoven as a 14-year-old. He now leaves Genk for Liverpool in a deal worth €35 million.
