Leiria sign DR Congo-Belgium striker Samuel Ntanda from RSCA Futures

DR Congo-Belgium centre-forward Samuel Ntanda has joined Leiria from RSCA Futures, completing a move to the Portuguese club on 1 August 2026.

The 21-year-old striker moves from Belgium’s Challenger Pro League to Liga Portugal 2, adding experience from both competitions to Leiria’s forward options. Ntanda is 1.88m tall and prefers his right foot.

Ntanda made 20 appearances in the Challenger Pro League during his career, scoring four goals and providing one assist. He also played 62 times in Primavera 1, registering nine goals and six assists, while making appearances in Serie B and Serie A during his time in Italy.

His previous club, RSCA Futures, signed him from Sampdoria in August 2025. That move followed a spell with Sampdoria’s under-19 side, which he joined from St Truiden U18 in July 2022. Ntanda had moved into Sampdoria’s senior squad from the club’s youth setup in July 2025 before switching to RSCA Futures.

Born in Brussels, Ntanda has both DR Congo and Belgian nationality. His early development included time with the youth systems at Anderlecht, KV Mechelen and St Truiden before his move to Italy.

The striker arrives at Leiria with a listed market value of €250,000 and a career that has included football in Belgium, Italy and now Portugal. His records include two goals in the Premier League International Cup Under-21 competition, as well as goals in the Coppa Primavera and Viareggio Cup.

Ntanda’s arrival takes him into a new stage of his career in Portugal after one season with RSCA Futures. Leiria have now completed his transfer from the Belgian club.