Michel-Ange Balikwisha returns to Belgium with KAA Gent loan move from Celtic

DR Congo and Belgium winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha has joined KAA Gent on loan from Celtic, returning to his birthplace to continue his career in the Jupiler Pro League.

The 25-year-old has moved to Gent on 29 August 2026, with the loan running until 30 June 2027. Balikwisha is a left winger who favours his right foot, and his arrival gives KAA Gent an attacking player with experience in both Belgian and Scottish football.

Balikwisha spent the previous season with Celtic, helping the Scottish club win the Premiership and Scottish Cup in the 2025-26 campaign. Celtic signed him from Royal Antwerp on 28 August 2025 for €5.2m, following his time in Belgium’s top flight.

Before moving to Scotland, Balikwisha established himself at Royal Antwerp after joining the club from Standard Liege in July 2021 for €5m. He won the Belgian Cup in 2023, the Belgian title in the 2022-23 season and the Belgian Super Cup in 2023-24 during his spell with Antwerp.

His return to Belgium also brings him back to Gent, where he was born on 10 May 2001. He began his youth career at Anderlecht before moving to Standard Liege, progressing through the club’s youth teams and senior setup.

Balikwisha’s move to KAA Gent is a loan transfer, with his existing club Celtic scheduled to regain him at the end of the agreement on 30 June 2027. He is contracted to Gent for the duration of the loan and joins the Belgian side after collecting honours in both countries.

The transfer marks Balikwisha’s return to Belgian football after one season with Celtic.