Wesley Sonck is a Belgian association football player and manager, known for his role as a forward.
He won the prestigious Belgian Golden Shoe during his career.
Sonck played for AFC Ajax from 2003 to 2005, where he made his debut against Grazer AK.
Biography
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Wesley Sonck is a Belgian professional football player and manager, known for his role as a forward. He began his career at Football Club Molenbeek Brussels Strombeek and played for several clubs, including Germinal Ekeren and Germinal Beerschot, before making a significant move to K.R.C. Genk in 2000. His talent quickly became evident, leading to his selection for the Belgium national under-21 team from 1997 to 1999.
Professional Career
Sonck's professional career took off when he joined AFC Ajax in 2003, where he was brought in to fill the void left by striker Mido. Despite a promising start, including a debut goal against RKC Waalwijk, he struggled to find his footing at Ajax, often playing out of position. In 2005, he transferred to Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga, but his time there was marred by injuries, including a severe rib injury that sidelined him for six months. After a brief loan to Club Brugge, he made the move permanent and continued to play until 2010, when he joined Lierse S.K.
International and Coaching Career
On the international stage, Sonck represented Belgium, notably scoring a goal in the 2002 FIFA World Cup against Russia. He also made headlines during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, scoring Belgium's only goal against Spain, breaking a long streak of clean sheets for the Spanish goalkeepers. Transitioning into coaching, Sonck took on the role of manager for the Belgian U18 national team in 2017 and later the U19 team in 2020. Additionally, he has made a name for himself as a football analyst on Belgian television, showcasing his expertise in the sport.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Ajax
Sonck moved to Ajax in the summer of 2003, to replace departed striker Mido. He made his debut on 12 August against Grazer AK. He scored his first goal for the club 13 September against RKC Waalwijk. Sonck never really made it in Amsterdam, partly because he was playing on the right wing a lot under coach Ronald Koeman. He moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach in the winter of 2004.
Borussia Mönchengladbach
Sonck's time with Borussia Mönchengladbach of the Bundesliga was hampered by injuries. Mönchengladbach signed him on a permanent contract, a deal initially arranged already at the start of his loan. In the summer of 2005, Sonck had three of his ribs broken after a horrific tackle by Wilfred Bouma in a goalless, meaningless friendly between Borussia Mönchengladbach and PSV Eindhoven. Sonck took six months to recover, marking his return to competitive football with a goal in a 3–1 defeat by Bayern Munich. He scored three more in 13 further Bundesliga games for Mönchengladbach until he was forced out for three months with an injury in the hollow of his knee at the start of the 2006–07 season.
Back to Belgium
Sonck left Gladbach at the end of the 2006–07 season, joining Club Brugge on a year-long loan deal while Borussia Mönchengladbach began playing in the second tier of the Bundesliga. Following the 2007–08 season, Sonck joined Brugge permanently for an undisclosed fee. At the end of the 2009–10 season, Sonck left Brugge to join Lierse S.K. on…
Sonck is a regular football analyst in Belgian TV sport shows and podcasts. In 2020, he made his debut as host of a television program in De Container Cup.
Wesley Sonck was a member of the Belgian squad at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He scored one goal in the Group stage match against Russia. Sonck was called for the Belgium national team during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. In the match versus Spain he scored Belgium's only goal in that match, thus ending Casillas and Reina's undefeated streak of 710 minutes.
On 3 August 2017, Sonck was hired as manager of the Belgian U18 national team. In March 2020, he was put in charge of the U-19 national team.
- Club
- Sportkring Beveren (2012–2013)
- Club
- Beerschot A.C. (1998–1999)
- Club
- Lierse S.K. (2010–2012)
- Club
- Racing White Daring Molenbeek (1996–1998)
- Club
- K.R.C. Genk (2000–2003)
- Club
- Beerschot A.C. (1999–2000)
- Club
- Belgium men's national football team (2001–2010)
- Club
- Belgium national under-21 football team (1997–1999)
- Club
- Football Club Molenbeek Brussels Strombeek (1996–1998)
- League
- Bundesliga
- National team
- Belgium
- Club
- Borussia Mönchengladbach (2005–2007)
- Club
- AFC Ajax (2003–2005)
- Club
- Club Brugge K.V. (2007–2010)
Trophies & Awards
- Award
- Belgian Golden Shoe
Clubs
- Football Club Molenbeek Brussels Strombeek1996–1998
- Racing White Daring Molenbeek1996–1998
- Belgium national under-21 football team1997–1999
- Beerschot A.C.1998–1999
- Beerschot A.C.1999–2000
- K.R.C. Genk2000–2003
- Belgium men's national football team2001–2010
- AFC Ajax2003–2005
- Borussia Mönchengladbach2005–2007
- Club Brugge K.V.2007–2010
- Lierse S.K.2010–2012
- Sportkring Beveren2012–2013
Played together with
Aaron MokoenaAFC Ajax · 1999–2003- Aaron MokoenaBeerschot A.C. · 2001–2001
- Aaron MokoenaBeerschot A.C. · 2002–2002
- Aaron MokoenaK.R.C. Genk · 2003–2005
Abdelhak NouriAFC Ajax · 2015–2017
Abdou JammehLierse S.K. · 2009–2010- Abdoul Karim SyllaFootball Club Molenbeek Brussels Strombeek
Abdoulay DiabyClub Brugge K.V. · 2015–2018- Abdoulaye DjireBeerschot A.C. · 2008–2008
Abdullahi Ibrahim AlhassanBeerschot A.C.- Abel MasueroK.R.C. Genk · 2011–2013
- Aboubakar OumarouSportkring Beveren · 2013–2015
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Wesley Sonck is a Belgian professional football manager and former player who manages the Belgium U19 national team. He played as a striker for Molenbeek, Ninove, Germinal Ekeren, Germinal Beerschot, Genk, Ajax, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Club Brugge. He was capped by Belgium at international level.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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