The Belgian goalkeeper has signed a six-year contract with Liverpool but will remain with Genk on loan for the 2026-27 season. He is expected to move to Anfield ahead of the 2027-28 campaign.
Standing at 6ft 7in, Brughmans has already established himself as Genk's first-choice goalkeeper this season. He has started all four of the club's matches so far and has also represented Belgium at youth level.
The transfer includes an initial fee, with additional payments potentially taking the overall value of the deal to around £30 million. However, that figure represents the maximum amount Liverpool could pay if all the agreed conditions and performance-related add-ons are met.
Brughmans' arrival is part of Liverpool's long-term planning for the goalkeeper position. The club currently has Alisson, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman and Vitezslav Jaros among its goalkeeping options.
However, Alisson's contract is due to expire next summer, while Mamardashvili's long-term future at the club remains uncertain. Brughmans could therefore become an important option for Liverpool from the summer of 2027.
The deal is also a reflection of Liverpool's continued investment in identifying and developing young talent from around the world.
Their global talent department, led by Matt Newberry, played a key role in bringing Brughmans to the club.
Liverpool have increasingly targeted promising young players with the potential to develop into first-team options. Earlier this year, the club signed Senegalese defender Mor Talla N'diaye and Austrian centre-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe after both impressed at the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The Reds have also recruited goalkeeper Armin Pecsi and midfielder Samuel Martinez within the past year. Pecsi joined from Hungary and is currently spending the season on loan at German club TSV Hartberg, while Martinez arrived from Colombia.
Brughmans' loan spell at Genk will give him an opportunity to continue gaining senior experience before making the move to England.
For Liverpool, the agreement represents another investment in the future rather than an immediate addition to the first team. By securing the highly rated goalkeeper at 18, the club will have several years to develop him within its system while allowing him to continue playing regular football in Belgium.
The six-year contract underlines Liverpool's belief in Brughmans' potential and their intention to build their goalkeeping options for the long term.
