Ibrahim Sory Bangoura

Ibrahima Sory Bangoura was a free transfer to Belgium from Johnson Académie Sport in Guinea. In May 2022, at 18, he signed a four-year contract with Genk and was assigned to the reserve side, Jong Genk, in the Challenger Pro League. His first season there passed without a goal in 22 appearances, but the following campaign he added two goals in 25 outings, enough to earn a promotion to the first team in January 2024. Genk had just lost the Belgian Cup final to Union SG that season, and Bangoura made his senior debut for the club the following April.

He established himself in the first team during the 2024–25 season, making 31 league appearances and setting up five goals, while also playing several rounds of the Belgian Cup. The following season he appeared in league matches and in the UEFA Europa League, and has continued to feature in the early rounds of the 2026–27 Pro League campaign. In May 2025, his form drew transfer interest from Newcastle United and Club Brugge, with reports suggesting Genk was seeking a fee in excess of €15 million, though the move never materialised.

Internationally, Bangoura's path to Guinea's senior side was not straightforward: called up in March 2025 for World Cup qualifiers against Somalia and Uganda, he withdrew through injury. He finally made his debut in June 2026, starting a friendly against Northern Ireland before being substituted after the hour in a 1–0 defeat.