On course for a second consecutive Belgian Pro League title, Union Saint-Gilloise’s Christian Burgess has reflected on a rather unusual path to the continent.
The English centre back has since become USG’s captain and after winning the title last season he helped his side into the Champions League.
There they impressed and narrowly missed out on the knockouts, a massive achievement for a player who’d only ever previously played in the EFL.
In a wide-ranging interview with Belgian outlet DHnet, Burgess discussed a number of issues which explained his pathway to the Pro League.
And explaining why he chose USG, he made it clear it was a club that matched his principles.
“Chris (O’Loughlin, the sporting director) had briefed me before I signed, so I knew his values, and those of his fans,” he explained.
“Politically, too. That made my adaptation easier.
“There are clubs known for having certain factions of supporters who are, let’s say, far-right.
“It would have been much more complicated to play for such a club.
“At Portsmouth, I had expressed my opinion about remaining in the EU. Portsmouth had 58% of people who wanted Brexit… and probably even more within the football community.
“Many didn’t like me saying that. Some even called for me to be kicked out of the club.
“But just because you’re a footballer doesn’t mean you can’t express an opinion… which was then perceived as the right one, it seems to me.
“That said, I’m very proud to have played for Portsmouth and I’ve maintained a very good relationship with the majority of the fans.
“People who voted for Brexit did so for many reasons, and that doesn’t make them bad people.”
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