Teenage striker Elie Mpungu Kongolo has taken a significant step in his career after completing a move to Belgium, with Jong Genk securing his services from Congolese side TP Les Anges.
The 18-year-old forward has joined the Belgian club on loan until the end of the season, with an option to make the transfer permanent.
The move follows an impressive run of form in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Kongolo’s goalscoring exploits quickly drew attention beyond his home country.
Kongolo arrives in Belgium after a prolific first half of the campaign in the Congolese third division. Featuring regularly for TP Les Anges, he scored 16 goals in 19 appearances, finishing as both the league’s top scorer and the standout player of the first half of the season.
Those numbers proved decisive in convincing KRC Genk to act, offering the young striker an opportunity to continue his development within one of Europe’s most respected talent pathways.
Born in Kinshasa, Kongolo has built a reputation for his pace and efficiency in front of goal, attributes that have helped him stand out despite his age.
His ability to find space, attack defenders and convert chances consistently has marked him as a player with considerable potential, particularly in transitional and attacking situations.
Jong Genk, the reserve side of KRC Genk, is widely recognised for its role in preparing young players for the demands of top-level European football.
The club has a long-standing reputation for nurturing emerging talent, providing structured development alongside competitive exposure. For Kongolo, the move represents both a challenge and an opportunity to adapt to a faster, more tactical style of play.
The loan arrangement allows the Belgian club to assess the striker’s adaptation over the coming months, while offering Kongolo a platform to demonstrate that his goalscoring form can translate beyond domestic football in Congo.
If successful, the option to buy could secure him a longer-term future in Belgium.
For the player, the transition to Europe marks a new chapter. Moving away from familiar surroundings at a young age, Kongolo will aim to build on his strong start to the season and continue his upward trajectory.
His focus will be on integrating quickly, learning from the coaching staff and seizing any opportunities to make an impact on the pitch.
As Jong Genk continue to invest in promising young profiles, Elie Mpungu Kongolo’s arrival underlines the growing links between African leagues and European development systems, and the increasing visibility of talent emerging from the Congolese game.
