Former West Ham United midfielder Freddie Potts has made his Champions League debut for Club Brugge just over a month after leaving east London.
The 22-year-old started in midfield against Aston Villa on Tuesday night as the Belgian champions opened their European campaign with a 3-2 defeat.
Potts played 86 minutes before being substituted late on, with Sky Sports confirming he started alongside Hans Vanaken in the Brugge midfield.
It marks another major step in his career following a summer move away from West Ham.
Potts handed major Club Brugge role
Potts ended his long association with West Ham in August when he joined Club Brugge on a permanent deal.
ReadWestHam reported at the time that the Hammers had agreed a package worth around €12million, while West Ham officially confirmed the transfer for an undisclosed fee.
The academy graduate had been with West Ham since the age of six.
He made 25 appearances for the first team last season and had previously impressed during loan spells at Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth.
Potts had also spoken earlier in the summer about wanting to establish himself in Nuno Espírito Santo’s West Ham side.
Instead, he moved to Belgium and has quickly become a regular starter.
Potts starts against Aston Villa
Potts was trusted from the start against Villa at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
Club Brugge fell 3-1 behind during the first half before Nicolò Tresoldi’s penalty reduced the deficit after the break.
Villa ultimately held on for a 3-2 victory.
FotMob recorded Potts playing 86 minutes and gave him a match rating of around 6.2, while his early league performances have produced an average rating above seven.
The midfielder has already become an important member of the Brugge side.
West Ham academy graduate now playing at highest level
The move attracted attention among West Ham supporters because Potts had appeared well suited to the Championship campaign.
ReadWestHam previously examined the concerns raised by Freddie Potts’ West Ham exit.
The Hammers also confirmed his permanent departure after 16 years at the club.
Only weeks later, Potts is now starting Champions League matches.
For a player who spent almost his entire football development at West Ham, that represents a significant early milestone in his new career.
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