Arthur Vermeeren is returning to Royal Antwerp. The 21-year-old Belgian midfielder will join on loan from RB Leipzig for the remainder of the 2026-27 season. The agreement does not include a purchase option or obligation, leaving Leipzig in control of his long-term future.
Antwerp currently sits ninth in the Jupiler Pro League with seven points from four matches. The team has recorded two wins, one draw, and one loss, with a goal difference of +1. They trail league leaders Charleroi by five points. The next challenge is an away fixture against second-placed Club Brugge on September 13, a match listed in our fixtures schedule.
Arthur Vermeeren returns to the club where he broke through as a teenager. He played a key part in the historic 2022-23 campaign, where Antwerp won both the Belgian league title and the Belgian Cup. Those performances earned him a move abroad. After a difficult spell at Atlético Madrid and RB Leipzig, where he made 41 competitive appearances, followed by a loan at Marseille, he now returns to rebuild his career momentum. "Now he returns to Antwerp with something to prove," Vermeeren said.
For Antwerp, Vermeeren's arrival is a significant boost. The club hopes his return will provide quality and control in the centre of the park. He rejoins a familiar footballing environment, which should aid his integration. His experience in the top leagues of Spain, Germany, and France is an asset for a squad looking to climb the table. The deal's structure is similar to the earlier loan move for Conrad Harder.
Vermeeren's return comes at a key point in the season. Antwerp is mid-table and needs points to close the five-point gap to leaders Charleroi. The team has scored ten goals and conceded nine. The upcoming away match against second-placed Club Brugge presents an immediate tough test. The current standings show every point is valuable.
The final formalities for the loan deal are being completed. Once the paperwork is signed, Arthur Vermeeren will officially begin his next chapter at the Bosuil Stadium. For Antwerp, it is an emotional reunion with one of the brightest prospects the club has produced in recent years.
