Maxime Lestienne

Maxime Christophe Lestienne (French pronunciation: [maksim lɛstjɛn]; born 17 June 1992) is a Belgian professional footballer who last played as a winger for Singapore Premier League club Lion City Sailors. He was also part of the Belgium national team after being called up in 2013 and 2019.

Lestienne is widely regarded as the greatest player in Lion City Sailors history, as well as one of the greatest players in Singapore Premier League history.

Club career

Mouscron

Lestienne came up through the youth ranks at Royal Excelsior Mouscron. At the time of his debut in the senior squad on 20 December 2008, Mouscron was competing in the Belgian First Division. Lestienne came on as a substitute for Asanda Sishuba in the 80th minute of a 5–1 home victory against Club Brugge.

Club Brugge

After the bankruptcy of Mouscron in 2009, Lestienne became available on a free transfer. Despite interest from English side Everton and Dutch side PSV, Lestienne eventually signed a contract with Club Brugge on 6 January 2010. He helped his club to a 3–3 draw to Sint-Truidense after scoring and assisting in a league match on 7 August 2011. Lestienne scored a brace in a league match against Beerschot in a 5–1 thrashing win on 5 February 2012. Lestienne scored his first hat-trick for the club in the Bruges derby on 23 September 2012 against Cercle Brugge. On 17 November 2012, Lestienne scored one and assisted four times in a 2–6 away win against Beveren. On 28 September 2013, he scored the only goal in the match securing a 3 points for his team against RAEC Mons. After four seasons with Club Brugge making a total of 39 goals and 35 assists in 157 appearances across all competition, Lestienne left the club.