It’s official – defender Zinho Vanheusden has made the return to Standard Liege on loan for the upcoming season.

The Nerazzurri confirmed the Belgian’s loan exit in an official announcement, also noting that Standard will have a purchase option to sign Vanheusden on a permanent deal at the end of the campaign when his loan deal expires.

Vanheusden spent last season on loan with AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie.

However, it was not an easy season for the Belgian international. This was due to injuries, with a foot injury in particular having entailed a couple months on the sidelines.

This meant that Vanheusden struggled for playing time at AZ all through the season. He failed to break into the regular starting backline, and made just seven league appearances all season.

This followed a similarly tough experience on loan with Genoa in Serie A during the prior season.

Vanheusden had been at the Grifone on loan during the 2014-15 season, registering fourteen league appearances. However, injuries were also a theme there, and he was unable to prevent the Ligurians’ relegation to Serie B.

Inter Defender Vanheusden Returns To Standard Liege On Loan

In truth, the one club where Vanheusden has ever regularly been able to find his best form has been his boyhood club Standard.

There, the Belgian has found fitness and playing time between the 2018 and 2021 seasons. He had first joined on loan, and then on a permanent basis, but with Inter having a mandatory buyback obligation.

Now, Vanheusden will once again wear the Standard shirt. He will be playing for the Belgian team, who he has captained in the past, throughout the 2023-24 season.

Reportedly, Inter will pay a significant chunk of Vanheusden’s wages during the campaign.

And, at the end of the campaign, Standard will have the option to sign Vanheusden on a permanent deal for €7 million.