Matz Sels

Matz Willy Els Sels (born 26 February 1992) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Ligue 1 club Strasbourg and the Belgium national team.

Club Career

Lierse SK

Sels started his youth career at Kontich, but transferred to Lierse at the age of seven. Over there, he started in 2010 in the first team. After the departure of Eiji Kawashima to Standard Liege 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 2013–2014 season, when he refused to sign a new contract, he was demoted to the second team.

KAA Gent

On 31 December 2013, it was announced that Sels would complete a transfer to KAA 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 AA Gent on 14 January 2014 against K.V. Kortrijk, in the quarter finals of the Belgian Cup. He helped AA Gent qualify for the next round after penalties; with the game ending 1–1 on aggregate.

Sels played a key role in helping AA Gent become champions of the 2014–15 Belgian Pro League; the first national championship in their club history. This triumph allowed AA 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 Olympique Lyonnais. On 13 January 2016 he was voted Best Goalkeeper of Belgium 2015.

Newcastle United

On 29 June 2016, Sels completed a transfer to Newcastle United on a five-year contract for a reported transfer fee of £6.5 million. Sels made his Newcastle debut in the Championship on 5 August against Fulham. Sels kept a run of four clean sheets spanning 20 August to 13 September. Sels came under considerable fire from Newcastle fans for allowing a late equaliser from

This page also has a version in other languages :  Матц Селс (russian)