Nicolas Raskin

Nicolas Raskin (born 23 February 2001) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Scottish Premiership club Rangers. Raskin had spells in the youth academies of Standard Liège and Anderlecht, before joining Gent in 2017. He made his competitive debut for Gent in February 2018, becoming the first player born in the 21st century to play in the Belgian Pro League. He re-joined Standard Liège in January 2019 and signed for Rangers four years later. Raskin earned more than 50 caps for Belgium's youth national teams. He represented the country from under-15 to under-21 level. Raskin's first club as a child was Royal Stade Waremmien FC, before playing youth football for Standard Liège from 2008 to 2015. He then spent two years in Anderlecht's youth academy. In May 2017, Raskin left Anderlecht to join Gent, signing a three-year contract. Raskin made his professional debut for Gent at the age of 16, in a 3–0 Belgian Pro League win over Sint-Truiden in February 2018, becoming the first player born in the 21st century to play in the league. On 23 January 2019, Raskin returned to his former youth club Standard Liège. On 31 January 2023, Raskin joined Scottish club Rangers on a long-term contract, for an undisclosed transfer fee. It was reported that the fee paid was £1.32m (€1.5m) plus additional bonuses and Raskin signed a four and a half year contract. He made his debut four days later, in a 2–1 victory over Ross County in the Scottish Premiership. A few weeks later on 26 February, Raskin saw his opportunity to win the first trophy of his Rangers career end in disappointment, he was a 65th minute substitute during a 2-1 defeat in the Scottish League Cup final. Raskin has played youth international football for Belgium at under-15, under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-21 levels. He represented the Belgium under-17 team at the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. In June 2023, he scored both goals for the Belgium under-21 team in a 2–0 win over Israel. The same summer he was named in the Belgian squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Raskin was born in Liège. He is the son of Thierry Raskin, who was also a professional footballer in Belgium.