Former SuperSport United midfielder Shandre Campbell has received a prestigious call-up to Club Brugge’s UEFA Champions League squad for their upcoming round of 16 clash against Premier League side Aston Villa at the Jan Breydelstadion.
This selection marks a significant milestone in Campbell’s promising career, highlighting his rapid progress since joining the Belgian side earlier this season.
The talented left winger made the move from Gavin Hunt’s Matsantsatsa to Club Brugge at the start of the 2023/24 campaign. Initially, he was assigned to Club Brugge’s reserve team, Club NXT, where he began adapting to European football.
However, his standout performances in the reserve league quickly captured the attention of Brugge’s first-team coaches.In the Challenger Pro League, Campbell has showcased his attacking prowess, netting six goals and providing one assist in 13 starts.
This impressive form saw him make his debut in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, coming off the bench in the 84th minute against Sint-Truiden in a thrilling 2-2 draw last month, further solidifying his place in the first-team setup.
Now, Campbell stands on the brink of a remarkable achievement – potentially making his debut in Europe’s most prestigious club competition, the UEFA Champions League.
His first opportunity could come against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, who secured their place in the knockout stages after a strong group-stage performance. Brugge, on the other hand, earned their spot via the playoffs, setting up what promises to be a thrilling encounter between the two clubs.
While Aston Villa and Club Brugge have had different paths to the round of 16, the Belgian side will be confident in their chances, especially after defeating Villa 1-0 at home in November during the group stage. A penalty from Hans Vanaken was the difference in that match, and Brugge will look to repeat that success when they face off in the knockout rounds.
In addition to Campbell’s inclusion, Club Brugge’s squad will be strengthened by the return of key players. However, the hosts faces stiff competition from an Aston Villa side that has also strengthened their squad during the January transfer window. Villa secured several high-profile signings, including Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio, Axel Disasi and Donyell Malen.
With both teams bolstering their squads, the match promises to be a highly competitive affair, and Campbell’s inclusion in Club Brugge’s squad for such a high-stakes encounter is a testament to his development and potential at the club. Kick off is set for 19:45 SAST on Tuesday, 04 March 2025.