Lammens recalls playing against United
Senne Lammens has been reminded of the time he played against Manchester United, during his spell at Club Brugge.
The two clubs played a youth friendly in February 2020, with the Reds winning 2-0, thanks to goals from Tahith Chong and James Garner.
Lammens kept goal against a team containing the likes of Matej Kovar, Teden Mengi, Angel Gomes, Ethan Galbraith and Hannibal, who featured against his former club, for Burnley, in our last Premier League outing.
With the behind-closed-doors friendly arranged ahead of the senior fixture between the clubs in the UEFA Europa League, it provided a useful exercise for all involved, and is something that clearly has extra significance now for our latest signing.
"Wow, I remember this," the keeper told us during his exclusive signing interview at Carrington. "I think it was the second team or the Under-18s, we played a friendly against them at home.
"It was a big day. The first team also played against the first team. Unluckily, I couldn't be there in the first team so it was really nice to play against the young guys. If you see some of the guys here, I see Tahith Chong and I played with him. You can see some big talents of that time. It was really nice to play against a team that, growing up, you looked at a lot.
"I almost forgot about it, but this picture reminds me of that time."
Lammens left Brugge to join Royal Antwerp in 2023, with the 23-year-old proving himself to be one of the top up-and-coming keepers across Europe following the switch.
"To be honest, everything at Brugge was perfectly fine," he explained. "I was really happy there and, from the youth onwards, I made big steps. But as a goalkeeper, sometimes you come into a situation where there is a big name in front of you and you have to be realistic, and maybe choose another path.
Part Two: Senne's signing interview
LAMMENS INTERVIEW | Watch part two for insight into Senne's mentality, hobbies and some rare footage...
"You also have to have patience because, the first year at Antwerp, I didn't play, but, in the long term, I think it was a good option and looking back it was a good option, because the opportunities I got with Antwerp, and the learning process also, it got me to where I am now.
"I am very happy that I made the decision, but also, looking back on it, I have nothing bad to say about Brugge. Everywhere I went was positive."