Who are Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, the surprise package of this year’s Champions League?

Union's players train on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match between Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and Newcastle United. Pic: VIRGINIE LEFOUR/AFP via Getty Images.

Founded in 1897 in southern Brussels, RUSG have one of the most decorated histories in Belgian football, winning 12 top-flight titles.

What’s noteworthy is the 90-year wait between their last two championship triumphs – smashing the record gap across the 10 top European leagues held by Blackburn Rovers.

Instrumental to their revival was the purchase of the club by two Englishmen, Tony Bloom and Alex Muzio, in 2018.

RUSG had plummeted from their domineering spell to a club traversing the lower divisions, the fourth tier at one point, but have thrived under the new ownership.

Promotion in 2021 ended a 48-year hiatus from the Belgian Pro League.

Progress continued through marking their return to European competition by reaching the 2023 Europa League quarter-finals.

A year later, a first Belgian Cup for 110 years was secured, the springboard to claiming the coveted league crown in May.

Their maiden Champions League campaign began with an impressive 3-1 win at PSV Eindhoven a fortnight ago and their first home fixture is against Newcastle United on Wednesday.

Union have made an unbeaten start to their title defence, leading Club Brugge at the summit by three points after nine games.

Arguably their best known player is defender Kevin MacAllister, who is the older brother of Liverpool midfielder and Aregentina World Cup winner Alexis.