OH Leuven

OH Leuven, officially known as Oud-Heverlee Leuven, is a professional football club based in Leuven, Belgium. Founded in 2002, the club is relatively young in comparison to other Belgian football clubs. However, it has quickly established itself as a competitive force within the Belgian football scene.

The club was formed as a result of a merger between three clubs: F.C. Zwarte Duivels Oud-Heverlee, Daring Club Leuven, and Stade Leuven. The merger was aimed at ensuring the survival of football in Leuven, a city with a rich footballing history but struggling to maintain a top-tier team.

OH Leuven plays its home games at the King Power at Den Dreef Stadium, which has a seating capacity of over 10,000. The stadium is named after the club's owners, King Power International Group, a Thai travel retail group that also owns English Premier League club Leicester City. The acquisition by King Power in 2017 has provided the club with significant financial backing, allowing it to compete at a higher level.

The club's colors are white, red, and black, and its emblem features a football and a book, symbolizing the city's sporting and academic traditions. The team's nickname is "The University Club," a nod to the city's status as the home of the oldest Catholic university in Belgium, KU Leuven.

OH Leuven has spent most of its existence in the Belgian Second Division, the second tier of Belgian football. However, the club has had stints in the top-tier Belgian Pro League, showcasing its potential to compete with the best teams in the country. The club's best season to date came in 2011 when they won the Belgian Second Division, earning promotion to the Pro League.

Despite its short history, OH Leuven has developed a reputation for nurturing young talent, with several players going on to play in top European leagues. The club's youth academy is considered one of the best in Belgium, further cementing its status as a key player in Belgian football.

OH Leuven's main rivals are Beerschot and Lommel, with whom they contest the fiercely competitive "University Derby." These matches are always highly anticipated events, drawing large crowds and generating a passionate atmosphere.

The club's mission is to become a stable presence in the Belgian Pro League while continuing to develop young talent. With a dedicated fan base, a strong youth academy, and the financial backing of King Power, OH Leuven is well-positioned to achieve these goals and continue its upward trajectory in Belgian football.