As expected, Red Star had an incredibly busy start to the free agency period. The club has already added 8 new players, and is expected to add even more in the coming weeks. The new signings are:
- Owen Lewey - D - USA - 30 y/o
- Isham Barry - M - USA - 26 y/o
- Leonardo Lippmann - M - GER - 22 y/o
- Ernst Burchard - M - GER - 18 y/o
- Isaak Smet - D - BEL - 27 y/o
- Friedrick Acker - D - GER - 18 y/o
- Gaele Leemans - F - BEL - 28 y/o
- Hillegont Raes - GK - BEL - 27 y/o
American defender Owen Lewey brings his wealth of experience in his native USA, signing a 2 year deal with Aalst. In 10 seasons, the 30 year old Lewey has 305 league matches played scoring 10 goals. He spent the last 3 years with Baltimore FC, finishing in 4th place in the league each year.
Fellow American Isham Barry also joins from the American top league, having spent the last 3 seasons playing there for Jets FC and Dionysus FC, scoring 23 goals in 108 matches. The 26 year old midfielder returns to Belgium after beginning his pro career at Super Eagles of Brussels FC, failing to garner significant playing time with that club. Barry signed a 3 year deal with Red Star, and will challenge for a starting role in the midfield.
22 year old midfielder Leonardo Lippmann has led a surprisingly journeyman career in his native Germany for his young age. Over 4 German league seasons, he scored 18 goals in 134 league matches. Aalst signed Lippmann to a 5 year contract.
German teenager Ernst Burchard signed his first professional contract, a five year deal with Aalst to play on the team as a midfielder. The 18 year old showed flashes in his U18 career as a skilled scorer from both the midfield and forward positions, as well as a strong free kick taker.
Belgian defender Isaak Smet joins Red Star on a 2 year contract bringing his four seasons of BPL experience with him to Aalst. The 27 year old scored 19 goals in 124 league matches while playing mostly as a wing defender.
A second member of Germany's U18 team last season, defender Friedrick Acker, also signed a 5 year deal with Red Star. The 18 year old Acker proved himself to be a thoughtful defender last season, with a particular skill at clearing the ball a great distance out of impending danger.
Veteran Belgian striker Gaele Leemans signed a 1 year deal to join Red Star in a depth role up front. The 28 year old spent the last 2 of his 9 career BPL seasons playing for Bill FC, where he had 19 and 21 goal seasons in league play.
Aalst also added a veteran to play as their backup goalkeeper, adding Hillegont Raes on a 2 year deal. The 27 year old Belgian has 6 years of BPL experience, most recently with Hampton SC where he started 30 league matches.
Signings are expected to continue as the team is fully assembled for training camp in just over a week's time.