With well over 100 Americans playing professional soccer in Europe at different levels and in different countries, many do fly under the radar, especially if they’re not suiting up for a team from the Premier League, La Liga or the Bundesliga. One such player is a teenager from eastern Pennsylvania – Devon De Corte.
Growing up a Philadelphia Union fan in picturesque Bucks County, the dual nationality midfielder now finds himself on the books of Belgium’s most successful team, Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht.
Yanks Abroad recently caught up with the 18-year-old who has been starring this season for RSCA’s reserve team, Anderlecht Futures. It was after their clash against Francs Borains in Challenger Pro League action in the southern town of Boussu , that the conversation took place.
“It wasn’t an easy game from the beginning,” De Corte admitted. “We had a lot of duels and were really happy to get that early lead but then we conceded before half time.”
Immediately after the restart, Basile Vroninks made a terrible tackle and was shown a straight red card that changed the complexity of the game.
“We were ok, and we were ready for the second half but then getting the red card was unfortunate,” he continued. “I think still to go ahead 2-1, we were happy but then we perhaps tried to defend and sat back a bit too much.”
Francs Borains then went on to score twice to steal all of the points with the game finishing 3-2 in favor of the Walloon side.
“I wasn’t very happy with my individual performance. I had a few positive moments but there were definitely moments where I needed to be sharper, to be better. I think not my best game, but I just need to focus on the next one.”
Recently the Belgian Football Association decided to allow the reserve teams of top flight teams to compete in the league structure, as opposed to remaining in the reserve league, where the young players would only play against other young players. Now there are reserve teams competing in the second and third divisions of the Belgian league structure.
“These are good games where you’re playing against men, against professional teams. This is where we’re going to grow. I think it’s good for me and for all of us as young players to compete against these guys.”
Joining Anderlecht last year as a 17-year-old, De Corte’s soccer adventure is so far a short one but one that has already brought him to Europe.
“After spending my early life in Bucks County, we moved to the Philadelphia area when I was 14 years old when I joined the Philadelphia Union’s Academy. After a few good seasons at the academy, I signed on with Anderlecht and moved to Brussels last year.”
In reality, most Americans would have to wait until they reached their 18th birthday before signing for a European club, but this was not the case for Devon.
“My mother is American, and my father is Belgian, from the Gent area. I could come over early because I have a European passport.”
Because of that Belgian passport and the fact that he’s a very good, very young midfielder, the former Unionist has been called up to both the Belgian U-18 and U-19 teams.
“I haven’t yet made up my mind but at the moment I’ve been playing with the Belgian U-19s. I haven’t made a decision yet.”
Asked if he has heard from the USA for a call up, he replied, “Recently, no. But I’m open to hearing from either side. I spent my whole life in America. I’m American. As a child, I would come to Belgium on vacation with my family.”
On a three-year contact, with the first year coming to an end, the immediate plan for the next season is to play for the senior team.
“I plan to break into the first team as soon as possible. That’s my goal but at the moment this is a really good stage to show myself and what I can do, but the ultimate goal is the first team and then on from there.”
The Philly Union and Liverpool FC fan looks to have a bright future ahead of him with not only Anderlecht but an eventual move to a bigger club in a bigger league, and hopefully with the USMNT.