Dender's two‑year gamble on Devriendt aims to boost promotion push

FCV Dender EH have secured goalkeeper Julien Devriendt on a two‑season contract, bringing the 27‑year‑old back from Patro Eisden Maasmechelen as the club intensifies its promotion chase in the Challenger Pro League. The move follows a mutual termination of his previous deal and adds a goalkeeper with a €400,000 market value to Dender's squad.

The contract runs for two full seasons, securing Devriendt until the summer of 2026. In the club’s announcement, Dender said, “Een vertrouwd gezicht keert terug naar huis. Julien Devriendt maakt opnieuw de overstap naar FC Dender en ondertekent een contract voor twee seizoenen.”

Devriendt, a product of RSC Anderlecht’s academy, also spent time with KV Mechelen and Eendracht Aalst before his first spell at Dender. He originally joined Dender in 2020 and featured for the club until 2025 before moving to Patro Eisden Maasmechelen.

Transfermarkt lists his market value at €400,000. Over his career he has amassed 78 senior appearances, including four matches in Belgium’s top tier, the Jupiler Pro League.

During those 78 games he kept 21 clean sheets and conceded a total of 108 goals. The statistics underline his experience despite his relatively modest age for a goalkeeper.

Patro Eisden terminated his contract by mutual agreement, allowing the 27‑year‑old to join a direct rival in the Challenger Pro League title race. Dender’s acquisition therefore strengthens a competitor that is also vying for promotion.

Dender’s sporting director highlighted the signing as a “gerichte versterking” aimed at achieving promotion to the Jupiler Pro League. The club hopes Devriendt’s familiarity with the environment will help them push for a top‑place finish this season.