In the summer of 2020, Christian Burgess made a career-defining decision to leave Portsmouth and sign for Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise, a move that has since transformed his professional life beyond recognition. The former League Two defender, who once completed a history degree while playing for Hartlepool on loan, has become captain of the Belgian champions and now prepares for one of football's biggest stages.
An Unlikely Path to European Glory
Burgess recalls feeling his career was at risk of stagnation before making the leap to Brussels. After researching the club on Wikipedia and discovering their ambitious plans, he took what he describes as "a leap of faith" that has led to extraordinary rewards. This Wednesday marks perhaps the pinnacle of that journey as Union Saint-Gilloise travel to Bayern Munich for what could be their most significant match in history, needing a positive result to keep their Champions League knockout stage hopes alive.
A Surreal Reunion with Harry Kane
The match brings a remarkable full-circle moment for Burgess, who last faced Harry Kane more than fifteen years ago when both were teenagers on trial at Tottenham Hotspur. Burgess remembers watching in awe as the kit man attended to the young Kane, asking about sleeve lengths and accessories. "Wow, that's so big time," Burgess reflects. "I was missing history and maths class." Now, as captain of Union Saint-Gilloise, he prepares to mark the England captain in one of world football's most prestigious competitions.
"I'll definitely be asking Harry Kane for his shirt," Burgess confirms. "What a career, captain of England. My country. Yeah, it will be mental. We need at least a point there to have an opportunity to qualify."
Building a New Life in Brussels
Burgess's journey with Union Saint-Gilloise began in the Belgian second division, with the club winning promotion in his first season and returning to the top flight for the first time since 1973. Last season, they ended a ninety-year wait for the Belgian league title, with Burgess captaining the side to their first championship since 1935.
More Than Just Football
The move has become about more than just sporting success for Burgess. He has built a complete life in Brussels, marrying his American-Belgian wife Jessica and welcoming their eighteen-month-old daughter Mia Rose. He has applied for Belgian citizenship and embraced local culture, enrolling in French language courses despite initial teasing from teammates about his pronunciation.
"I have built a life out here," Burgess says. "This is almost where I call home now and it'll probably be our future."
The Union Saint-Gilloise Philosophy
The club operates with distinctive values, underpinned by five pillars: integrity, commitment, courage, passion, and humility. Their inclusive culture is visible throughout the organisation, from the "LOVE FOOTBALL/HATE RACISM" banner at their charming Stade Joseph Marien to their community-focused initiatives.
Burgess has continued his community work in Belgium, volunteering with refugees through the charity Care4Calais and recently launching a campaign where every Union player and staff member donates to homelessness charity L'Îlot for each goal scored in January. "We want to stop this injustice of people not having a basic human right," he explains.
A Data-Driven Success Story
Union Saint-Gilloise, like their English counterparts Brighton, have developed a reputation for data-led recruitment through Jamestown Analytics. Their model focuses on identifying emerging talent, developing players, and occasionally selling them for significant profits. Recent successes include Noah Sadiki's €20 million move to Sunderland and the transfers of Victor Boniface and Franjo Ivanovic to Bayer Leverkusen and Benfica respectively.
At thirty-four, Burgess represents something of an anomaly in Union's young squad. Last weekend, with Burgess suspended, the average age of their starting lineup was just 23.6 years. "I'm an anomaly," he acknowledges with a grin. "I'm still waiting for my big move ... maybe if I have the game of my life against Bayern then Barcelona will come calling."
From Underdogs to Champions
The transformation in perception has been remarkable. Initially embraced as underdogs with a Leicester City-style story, Union Saint-Gilloise have now become the team everyone wants to beat. "When we first came up, I think most of Belgium wanted us to do well," Burgess observes. "And now everybody's a bit pissed off that we're still there, that's the truth. We're now the bad guys."
As Burgess prepares for what could be the biggest match of his career, he reflects on the incredible journey that brought him here. From delivering medical prescriptions in a military tank on Hayling Island while at Portsmouth to captaining a team in the Champions League, his story serves as testament to the unexpected paths football careers can take when players are willing to embrace new challenges and opportunities.
