Joris Kayembe has quietly built one of the most underrated careers in Belgian football.
As a left-back for KRC Genk and a key figure in DR Congo’s historic FIFA World Cup campaign, here is a full breakdown of his net worth, salary, contract, and career journey.
Joris Kayembe’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joris Kayembe Ditu |
| Date of Birth | August 8, 1994 |
| Age | 31 |
| Place of Birth | Brussels, Belgium |
| Nationality | DR Congo |
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | 73 kg (161 lbs) |
| Position | Left-Back / Left Winger |
| Current Club | KRC Genk (Belgium) |
| Jersey Number | #12 |
| Turned Professional | 2013 (FC Porto) |
| Net Worth | Approximately €2 million |
| Annual Salary | Undisclosed |
| Contract Expires | June 30, 2027 |
| International Caps | 25 (DR Congo) |
Early Life and Career
Joris Kayembe Ditu was born on August 8, 1994, in Brussels, Belgium, to a family with Congolese roots.
Growing up in the Belgian capital, he showed early talent for football and joined his first structured youth setup at Scup Dieleghem Jette at the age of six, where he trained between 2000 and 2006.
From there, Kayembe moved to FC Brussel, spending three years developing his skills in one of the city’s most competitive youth programs.
In 2009, he earned a place at the prestigious Standard de Liège academy, widely regarded as one of Belgium’s top football nurseries.
He spent four years at Standard, sharpening his technical ability and tactical awareness from a young age.
His performances at Standard attracted attention from beyond Belgium. In 2013, when he was just 18 years old, he made the significant step of signing for FC Porto, one of Portugal’s most celebrated clubs.
That move represented a defining moment — stepping out of the Belgian youth structure into one of Europe’s most competitive environments required real courage from a teenager still developing his game.
At Porto, Kayembe initially worked his way through the B squad, using every training session and reserve match to demonstrate his quality.
His development was methodical rather than meteoric, which ultimately proved more durable as a foundation for his long professional career.
Professional Career
Kayembe made his Porto first-team debut on May 4, 2014, coming on as a 46th-minute substitute in a Primeira Liga fixture.
He appeared in Porto’s first-team fold at the start of the 2014–15 season before being loaned to FC Arouca in January 2015.
On July 31 of that year, he moved on loan to Rio Ave in the Primeira Liga, adding more senior minutes across Portuguese football.
After his time in Portugal, Kayembe joined French club FC Nantes, where he made three Ligue 1 appearances during the 2017–18 season. His time in France gave him exposure to a different football culture, though his first-team role there remained limited.
The real turning point came when Kayembe joined Royal Sporting Club Charleroi in Belgium. He established himself as one of the Jupiler Pro League’s most consistent left-backs, logging 34 appearances in 2020/21, 39 in 2021/22, and 30 in 2022/23.
His performances across those three seasons attracted attention from bigger Belgian clubs.
In July 2023, KRC Genk — a club with a strong European track record — signed Kayembe on a permanent deal.
He immediately became a regular starter, playing 26 league matches in 2023/24 and featuring in the Champions League qualifying rounds and the Europa Conference League.
In 2024/25, he played 39 matches across all competitions for Genk, scoring 2 goals and contributing 2 assists in the Jupiler Pro League.
On the international stage, Kayembe originally represented Belgium at under-21 level before committing his senior career to DR Congo, the nation of his heritage.
He has earned 25 senior caps and scored his first international goal during a pre-World Cup friendly against Chile on June 9, 2026 — converting with a clinical left-footed strike in the 88th minute.
FIFA confirmed Kayembe’s inclusion in DR Congo’s official 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, where the Leopards compete in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan.
Joris Kayembe’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Joris Kayembe’s has an estimated net worth of approximately €2 million.
He built this wealth through professional contracts spanning Belgium, Portugal, and France over a career that began professionally in 2013. His consistent presence in the Jupiler Pro League and European competition with Genk forms the core of his accumulated earnings.
Contract
Kayembe signed for KRC Genk on July 1, 2023. According to Transfermarkt’s player profile, he extended his contract on April 2, 2026, pushing his deal through to June 30, 2027.
The contract extension came at a significant moment — just weeks before DR Congo’s World Cup campaign began — and secured his club future beyond the tournament.
Genk competes in the Belgian Pro League and regularly qualifies for European competition, making it one of the better-paying clubs outside the traditional top five leagues.
The contract extension signals the club’s continued confidence in Kayembe as a first-team asset.
Salary
Joris Kayembe’s exact annual salary at KRC Genk has not been publicly confirmed by the club or any verified third-party source.
His current market value, as listed on Transfermarkt, stands at approximately €2.00 million, which places him in the mid-tier salary bracket for Jupiler Pro League regulars.
Belgian Pro League salaries for established starters at clubs like Genk typically range between €300,000 and €700,000 per year, though no specific figure for Kayembe has been officially released.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014/15 | FC Porto (B) | Liga Portuguesa | — | — | — |
| 2015/16 | Rio Ave (loan) | Primeira Liga | — | — | — |
| 2016/17 | FC Porto B | LigaPro | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017/18 | Nantes | Ligue 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019/20 | Charleroi | Jupiler Pro League | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020/21 | Charleroi | Jupiler Pro League | 34 | 1 | 4 |
| 2021/22 | Charleroi | Jupiler Pro League | 39 | 2 | 6 |
| 2022/23 | Charleroi | Jupiler Pro League | 30 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023/24 | KRC Genk | Jupiler Pro League | 26 | 1 | 4 |
| 2024/25 | KRC Genk | Jupiler Pro League | 39 | 2 | 2 |
| 2025/26 | KRC Genk | Jupiler Pro League | 21 | 0 | 1 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 | Charleroi | Jupiler Pro League | 34 | 1 | 4 |
| 2021/22 | Charleroi | Jupiler Pro League | 39 | 2 | 6 |
| 2022/23 | Charleroi | Jupiler Pro League | 30 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023/24 | KRC Genk | Jupiler Pro League | 26 | 1 | 4 |
| 2023/24 | KRC Genk | UCL/UEL/UECL | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024/25 | KRC Genk | Jupiler Pro League | 39 | 2 | 2 |
| 2025/26 | KRC Genk | Jupiler Pro League | 21 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025/26 | KRC Genk | Europa League | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| International | DR Congo | Senior | 25 | 1 | — |
FAQs
What is Joris Kayembe’s net worth?
Joris Kayembe’s estimated net worth is approximately €2 million. He built this through professional contracts at Charleroi, KRC Genk, and earlier clubs in Portugal and France over a 13-year career.
What club does Joris Kayembe play?
He plays for KRC Genk in the Belgian Pro League. Genk extended his contract in April 2026, keeping him at the club through June 30, 2027, according to Transfermarkt.
Is Joris Kayembe playing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Yes. DR Congo head coach Sébastien Desabre selected Kayembe in the official 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026. He wears jersey number 12 and plays as a left-back. DR Congo compete in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan.
What nationality does Joris Kayembe represent internationally?
He represents DR Congo at senior level. Born in Brussels, Belgium, he played for the Belgium U21 team in two friendly matches before switching his international allegiance to DR Congo.
What is Joris Kayembe’s market value?
Transfermarkt lists Kayembe’s current market value at €2.00 million. His career peak value reached €3.00 million during his most consistent seasons at Charleroi and Genk.
