Matz Sels

Footballer

▸ Source: Wikidata

He played for KAA Gent from 2014 to 2016, where he became a key player in their historic championship win.

Sels began his professional career at Lierse S.K., making his first-team debut in 2010.

Matz Sels is a Belgian association football player known for his role as a goalkeeper.

Based on: Wikidata

Biography

Early Life and Youth Career

Matz Willy Els Sels, a Belgian professional footballer, began his journey in football at a young age, starting his youth career at Kontich before transferring to Lierse S.K. at just seven years old. He made his first-team debut in 2010 and quickly rose to prominence as the first-choice goalkeeper after the departure of Eiji Kawashima in 2012. Sels showcased his talent early on, notably saving a penalty in his first game in the First Division against Gent on July 29, 2012.

Club Career

Sels's career took a significant turn when he transferred to KAA Gent in December 2013. He became the number one goalkeeper and played a crucial role in helping Gent secure their first-ever Belgian Pro League title in the 2014–15 season, which also qualified them for the UEFA Champions League. His Champions League debut was memorable, as he saved a penalty from Alexandre Lacazette, contributing to a 1–1 draw against Lyon. In January 2016, he was recognized as the Best Goalkeeper of Belgium for the year 2015.

In June 2016, Sels moved to Newcastle United, where he continued to develop his skills in the Premier League. After a stint in England, he joined RC Strasbourg Alsace in 2018, further solidifying his reputation as a reliable goalkeeper. As of 2024, he has signed with Nottingham Forest F.C., continuing his professional journey in top-flight football.

International Career

Sels has represented Belgium at various youth levels, including the under-17, under-19, and under-21 teams. He made his senior debut for the Belgium men's national team on June 3, 2021, in a friendly match against Greece. His consistent performances have kept him in contention for national selection, including being named in provisional squads for major tournaments like UEFA Euro 2020 and the FIFA World Cup.

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Wikidata

Gallery

Career & Clubs

Club career

Lierse

Sels started his youth career at Kontich, and transferred to Lierse at the age of seven. Over there, he made his first-team debut in 2010. After the departure of Eiji Kawashima to Standard Liège in the summer of 2012, Sels became the first choice keeper. In his first game in the First Division, on 29 July 2012 against Gent, he saved a penalty. At the start of the 2013–14 season, when he refused to sign a new contract, he was demoted to the second team.

Gent

On 31 December 2013, it was announced that Sels would complete a transfer to Gent once the transfer window opened. He would become the number one goalkeeper as Frank Boeckx's contract was due to expire at the end of the season. Sels made his debut for Gent on 14 January 2014 against K.V. Kortrijk, in the quarter-finals of the Belgian Cup. He helped Gent qualify for the next round after penalties; with the game ending 1–1 on aggregate. Sels played a key role in helping Gent become champions of the 2014–15 Belgian Pro League, the first national championship in the club's history. This triumph allowed Gent to qualify for the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League. On his Champions League debut Sels dramatically saved an Alexandre Lacazette penalty to help his side secure a 1–1 draw with Lyon. On 13 January 2016 he was voted Best Goalkeeper of Belgium 2015.

Newcastle United

On 29 June 2016, Sels completed a transfer to Premier League club Newcastle United on a five-year contract for a reported…

▸ Source: Wikipedia

International career

Sels was called up to the Belgium squad in October 2015 for UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers against Andorra and Israel. He was named in the Roberto Martinez Belgian squad for the friendly against Saudi Arabia in Brussels on 27 March. In May 2018 he was named in Belgium's preliminary squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. However, he did not make the final 23. In May 2021, Sels was named in Belgium's provisional squad for the rescheduled UEFA Euro 2020. He made his debut on 3 June 2021 in a friendly against Greece, coming on as a substitute for Simon Mignolet in the 90th minute.

▸ Source: Wikipedia

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 19 September 2026

International

As of match played 31 March 2026

▸ Source: Wikipedia

Club: KAA Gent (2014–2016)
Club: Belgium national under-17 association football team (2009–2009)
Club: Belgium national under-19 football team (2010–2011)
Club: Newcastle United F.C. (2016–2018)
National team: Belgium
Club: Lierse S.K. (2010–2014)
Club: Nottingham Forest F.C. (2024–)
Club: RC Strasbourg Alsace (2018–2024)
Club: Belgium men's national football team (2021–)
Club: Belgium national under-21 football team (2012–2014)

Legacy

Honours

Gent

Belgian Pro League: 2014–15 Belgian Super Cup: 2015 Newcastle United

EFL Championship: 2016–17 Anderlecht

Belgian Super Cup: 2017 Strasbourg

Coupe de la Ligue: 2018–19 Individual

Belgian Professional Goalkeeper of the Season: 2015–16 Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Season: 2021–22 Premier League Save of the Month: March 2024 Premier League Golden Glove: 2024–25 (shared) EA Sports FC Premier League Team of the Season: 2024–25 Premier League Fan Team of the Season: 2024–25 The Athletic Premier League Team of the Season: 2024–25 PFA Team of the Year: 2024–25 Premier League

▸ Source: Wikipedia

Clubs

Belgium men's national football team2021current
Nottingham Forest F.C.2024current
Belgium national under-17 association football team2009–2009
Belgium national under-19 football team2010–2011
Lierse S.K.2010–2014
Belgium national under-21 football team2012–2014
KAA Gent2014–2016
Newcastle United F.C.2016–2018
RC Strasbourg Alsace2018–2024

Played together with

Discussion

Opinions of fans — not verified facts.

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