KAA Gent have completed the signing of Ivorian forward Wilfried Kanga from Dinamo Zagreb, with the 27-year-old putting pen to paper on a contract that runs until June 2028.
The former Standard Liège striker returns to the Belgian top flight following a successful spell in Croatia, where he turned out for Dinamo Zagreb.
Kanga, who previously impressed during the 2023/24 Jupiler Pro League campaign with 12 goals, is expected to provide a major boost to Gent’s attacking options under head coach Ivan Leko.
Announcing the move on Sunday, 22 June 2025, Gent confirmed that Kanga had agreed to a three-year deal, marking the latest chapter in a career that has taken him across several of Europe’s top leagues.
The Ivory Coast international reunites with Leko, who managed him previously and was instrumental in bringing him back to Belgian football.
“Kanga is a powerful, fast striker, effective in the box and respected in the dressing room,” said Leko. “He has a winning mentality and knows our opponents perfectly.”
Born and trained in France, Kanga came through the ranks at Paris Saint-Germain before embarking on a European journey that has included stops in Switzerland with Young Boys, Germany with Hertha BSC, England with Cardiff City, and most recently, Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb.
This diverse experience has shaped him into a versatile and battle-tested striker capable of adapting to various styles of play.
Kanga’s profile as a forward—blending pace, physicality, and a keen eye for goal—is seen as the ideal addition to Gent’s frontline.
The club struggled at times last season to convert chances into goals and view Kanga as a potential game-changer in their push for domestic and European success.
His familiarity with the Belgian league and previous scoring record in the Pro League will allow him to hit the ground running.
His signing also signals Gent’s ambition to reinforce their squad with seasoned talent as they aim to challenge on multiple fronts in the 2025/26 campaign.
With the ink now dry on his long-term contract, Wilfried Kanga is expected to join pre-season preparations immediately and could feature in Gent’s early summer friendlies as he begins his second spell in Belgian football.
