William Guido R Baeten (born 7 February 1997) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or a winger for Liga I club FCSB.

William Baeten
Personal information
Full name William Guido R Baeten
Date of birth (1997-02-07) 7 February 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth Houthalen-Helchteren, Belgium
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Midfielder, winger
Team information
Current team
FCSB
Number 24
Youth career
Genk
0000–2016 Sint-Truiden
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2019 Dessel 64 (6)
2019–2020 Patro Eisden 21 (1)
2020–2024 FC U Craiova 120 (19)
2024– FCSB 7 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21 November 2024

Career

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Early career

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Baeten began his senior career at Dessel, making his debut in a 6–0 Belgian Cup thrashing of Patro Eisden on 27 August 2016. He came on as a 60th-minute substitute for Leo Njengo and scored the last goal of the match.

Baeten spent three years at the Belgian National Division 1 club, before joining fellow league team Patro Eisden in 2019.[1]

FC U Craiova

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Baeten moved abroad for the first time in the summer of 2020, signing a one-year contract with the option of another two years with Romanian club FC U Craiova.[1] He scored his first goal on 25 October, in a 1–0 away Liga II victory over Petrolul Ploiești.[2]

Baeten amassed 23 league appearances and two goals during his first season in Oltenia, as FC U Craiova achieved Liga I promotion from first place. On 16 July 2021, he netted a goal in a 2–3 away loss to defending champions CFR Cluj in the campaign's opener.

FCSB

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On 13 July 2024, amid interest from CFR Cluj and Rapid București, Baeten was transferred to FCSB for €300,000, with FC U Craiova retaining 50% participation rights in a co-ownership deal.[3][4]

He made his club and European debut on 23 July, in a 1–1 home draw with Maccabi Tel Aviv in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round,[5] and eight days later scored the only goal of the second leg at the Bozsik Aréna in Budapest.[6]

Style of play

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Baeten possesses versatility across various midfield positions, including defensive, central, and offensive roles,[2] and he also demonstrates proficiency as a right winger.[4]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 21 November 2024[7]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Dessel 2016–17 Belgian National Division 1 27 2 2 1 29 3
2017–18 Belgian National Division 1 23 4 23 4
2018–19 Belgian National Division 1 14 0 2 0 16 0
Total 64 6 4 1 68 7
Patro Eisden 2019–20 Belgian National Division 1 21 1 21 1
FC U Craiova 2020–21 Liga II 23 2 1 0 24 2
2021–22 Liga I 32 7 1 0 33 7
2022–23 Liga I 31 4 3 0 2[a] 1 36 5
2023–24 Liga I 34 6 1 0 35 6
Total 120 19 6 0 2 1 128 20
FCSB 2024–25 Liga I 7 0 1 0 7 1 15 1
Career total 212 26 11 1 7 1 2 1 232 29
  1. ^ Appearances in Liga I European play-offs

Honours

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FC U Craiova[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "William Baeten (24) blij met overstap naar ambitieuze Roemeense tweedeklasser Craiova: "Alleen de promotie telt"" [William Baeten (24) happy with the switch to ambitious Romanian second division club Craiova: "Only promotion counts"]. Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch). 19 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Cine este William Baeten, belgianul care a marcat un euro-gol în partida Craiovei de la Ploieşti" [Who is William Baeten, the Belgian who scored a Euro-goal in Craiova's game in Ploiești]. Telekom Sport. 25 October 2020.
  3. ^ "OFICIAL William Baeten a semnat cu FCSB! Anunțul făcut de FCU Craiova" [OFFICIAL William Baeten signed with FCSB! The announcement made by FC U Craiova] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Adrian Mititelu a anunţat transferul lui William Baeten la FCSB: "Duminică pleacă la Bucureşti"" [Adrian Mititelu announced the transfer of William Baeten to FCSB: "He leaves for Bucharest on Sunday"] (in Romanian). Antena Sport. 13 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024. Baeten's position? I have seen him play as a right wing forward in most matches and as a central midfielder.
  5. ^ "FCSB - M. Tel-Aviv 1–1". UEFA.com. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  6. ^ "M. Tel-Aviv - FCSB 0–1". UEFA.com. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  7. ^ a b William Baeten at Soccerway. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
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