At Club Brugge, there is a belief that Carlos Forbs can follow the same path as Noa Lang, according to reports in the Belgian media. The 21-year-old winger, however, arrives with the label of an 'Ajax flop'.
Forbs completed his transfer to Club Brugge on Thursday, sealing a move that he hopes will reignite a career that has stalled in recent seasons.
The 21-year-old Portuguese winger joined Ajax from Manchester City’s academy in the summer of 2023 for a substantial fee of 14.5 million euros, arriving in Amsterdam with high expectations and a reputation as one of Portugal’s most promising young talents. However, his time at Ajax proved deeply underwhelming.
Struggling to adapt to the tactical demands and physicality of the Eredivisie, Forbs failed to cement a place in the starting eleven and often looked out of sync with the team’s style of play. His confidence appeared to wane as the season progressed, and by the winter break, it was clear that a loan move was necessary to rediscover form and rhythm. That opportunity came in the form of a loan to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League. Yet, even in England, Forbs was unable to make a significant impact, making only a handful of appearances and failing to contribute meaningfully to Wolves’ campaign.
This mixed spell has tarnished the once-bright aura surrounding his name, and as a result, the Belgian media have not been shy in labelling him. Sporza bluntly refers to him as an 'Ajax mispurchase,' while Het Belang van Limburg goes further, describing him as an outright 'Ajax flop.' Such designations might weigh on a young player's shoulders, but in Bruges, the feeling is markedly different.
Club Brugge have developed a reputation for reviving the careers of talented but underperforming wingers. Noa Lang is perhaps the most famous example a dynamic and fiery winger who joined Brugge from Ajax and blossomed into a star, captivating the Belgian league with his flair, creativity, and directness. Similarly, Christos Tzolis, another winger with Eredivisie experience, also managed to rekindle his career and endear himself to the Bruges faithful.
Belgian outlet Het Nieuwsblad highlights that Club Brugge’s belief in Forbs has not waned despite his recent struggles. In fact, the club was already monitoring the winger when he made the move to Ajax. They see Forbs' profile quick, technically gifted, and versatile across the front line as perfectly suited to their system and to the Belgian Pro League. The coaching staff believe that, with the right guidance, Forbs could mirror the career resurgences of Lang and Tzolis, who both became pivotal figures at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
Forbs himself is reportedly enthusiastic about the challenge, viewing his move to Bruges as an opportunity to reset his trajectory and showcase his talent on a consistent basis. In conversations with the club’s hierarchy, he expressed a strong desire to prove himself and use Club Brugge as a springboard to bigger things in the future. Given the club’s history of developing players and facilitating high-profile transfers as seen with Lang’s eventual move to PSV Forbs sees this as an ideal platform.
Meanwhile, the timing of the move adds a layer of intrigue, as Club Brugge are preparing for the Belgian Super Cup final against Union Saint-Gilloise this Sunday. While it remains uncertain whether Forbs will be registered and match-fit in time to feature, his arrival has already generated buzz among the supporters. The prospect of a rejuvenated Forbs, eager to silence his critics and rekindle his once-promising career, is an enticing one for Brugge fans.
For the player, this chapter in Belgium represents more than just another transfer it is a pivotal juncture in his career. At just 21, Forbs still has time on his side, but another failed spell could severely hinder his prospects of reaching the top level. Club Brugge, with their stable structure, competitive ambitions, and proven track record of player development, could be the ideal environment for Forbs to rediscover his best form.
If he succeeds, the comparisons with Noa Lang won’t just be speculative they could be prophetic.
