Low cost, high reward? Heerenveen hoping Luca Oyen can realise his potential in Friesland | OneFootball

Luca Oyen’s time in Genk looks to be coming to an end. The 22-year-old, one of the most highly rated players coming out of the academy in recent years, is set to join Heerenveen in the Eredivisie. This is what is being reported by HLN. Oyen will join them on a free, a remarkable transfer given how highly rated Oyen was when he broke into the Genk first team. Yet two major injuries have set him back. Heerenveen may well have gotten a steal if Oyen can stay fit. All that was required was an agreed sell on free. Genk are protecting themselves somewhat if Oyen realises his potential in Friesland, while Heerenveen are happy to see if it will work out in pastures new.

Between 2020 and 2022, Oyen was up there with the likes of Bilal El Khannouss in terms of excitement. Operating out wide, but also able to play more centrally, he looked to be the latest five star prospect to come out of the impressive Genk academy. Like El Khannouss, his early numbers weren’t eye catching, but his performances were. However, things started to go wrong shortly after. Two serious cruciate ligament injuries curtailed his development and have now seen him leave Genk for far less than anyone would have imagined a few seasons ago.

Hopefully Heerenveen provides Oyen with the perfect landing spot to start again. He is undoubtedly talented, but the injuries may well have had a huge impact on how far he can go. If he can at least go the rest of his career without a major injury, that will be a success. Heerenveen will hope he can realise his potential with them and allow them to cash in further down the line.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson