Ryan Dylan Merlen

Born in Lens, he joined the AMS Lensoise youth system before moving into the RC Lens academy, staying there until 2020 and then progressing to RC Lens II, where he spent two seasons in the reserve side.

The bigger step came in July 2022, when Merlen left for RFC Liège on a free transfer. He was part of the squad that won promotion to the Challenger Pro League in his first season there. It was in 2024–25, though, that he made his name at the club: eight goals and four assists across competitions, a return that made him Liège's top scorer in the league that season. Supporters voted him the club's Player of the Season, a campaign he himself described as his "most accomplished season."

That form triggered a contentious exit. In June 2025 Merlen stopped attending training at Liège and submitted a medical certificate to force through a move, with the two clubs far apart on valuation — Liège wanted €600,000, Sint-Truiden initially offered between €250,000 and €300,000. The transfer was finalised on 1 July 2025 for a fee reported at around €500,000, and Merlen signed a four-year contract at Sint-Truiden running to 2029. In his first season at the club he was already among the team's leading providers, tied for the most assists.

On the international stage, Merlen has represented France at Under-16 level, making five appearances in 2017 and 2018, including a friendly against the Czech Republic.