Field Insider
48.1
7.7%
Ratingi
53
90.6%
Seasoni
25.4
Valuei

based on the 2025/26 season · updated 25 Aug 2026

Profile

Full nameRoss James Sykes
PositionCentre-back
NationalityEngland
Age27
Date of birth26 Mar 1999
BirthplaceBurnley
Height196 cm
Shirt number#26
ClubUnion St. Gilloise
More about R. Sykes →
Centre-back

Season stats

Full career & schedule →
32
Appearances
5
Goals
0
Assists
2636
Minutes

Domestic-league season · Union St. Gilloise.

Scout report

Solid contributorCentral defender

R. Sykes is a 27-year-old central defender at Union St. Gilloise, enjoying a standout season — 5 goals and 0 assists in 32 appearances, a Season grade of 53, top 7% of Jupiler Pro League centre-backs. On long-term scout potential he's rated 48.1, ranking 31st of 75 in the Jupiler Pro League. In his prime years, he has been a regular starter (73.2% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 3.41 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Sykes.

Judged on this season alone, Sykes graded 53 — an excellent campaign that ranks top 8% of the 14 centre-backs in the Jupiler Pro League, on 14 clean sheets and 3.414 defensive actions per 90.

Year-on-year, that's a clear step up on last season (Season 28 → 53). Across the 6 seasons we hold, it's his best return yet.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 48, 7th of 14 of the 14 centre-backs in the Jupiler Pro League. At 27 Sykes is in his prime years, and a market index of 25.4 reflects that trajectory.

From the career report
Read the full career report →

A career still climbing — Sykes is at his peak right now, and the curve hasn't flattened.

Peak: 2025/26Trending upBreakout: 2021/22StreakyStepped up 2022/23
Current potential7th of 14 centre-backs · Jupiler Pro LeagueCurrent seasonTop 8% centre-backs · Jupiler Pro League1st-best centre-back in the Jupiler Pro League31st in the Jupiler Pro League · potential7th-highest potential centre-back in the Jupiler Pro League
48.1
Ratingi
7th of 14 centre-backs
53
Seasoni
a solid contributor and squad regular
73.2%
Minutes
a regular starter
3.41
Def. actions / 90
moderate defensive volume

Output in context · Union St. Gilloise finished 7th of 18 · a mid-table side

32
Apps
3.41
Def. / 90
39
Tackles
49
Interceptions
14
Clean sheets

3.41 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 14 clean sheets across 32 appearances. Going forward he chipped in 5 goals and 0 assists — a useful bonus from the back.

Strengths

  • Availability. On the pitch for 73.2% of available minutes — a dependable presence in the XI.
  • Attacking threat. Chips in from deep: 0.17 goal involvements per 90, useful for a central defender.

Watch points

  • Few red flags. No obvious weaknesses in the current-season profile — consistency is the next test.

Outlook

With a Rating of 48.1, Sykes carries the 7th-highest potential of the centre-backs in the Jupiler Pro League of 14. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (3.41 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). In the prime window — at or near peak market value, so the next two seasons are the ones to cash in or build around.

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Season statistics

Bars = where he ranks among centre-backs in the Jupiler Pro League with 600+ minutes this season.

Shooting

Goals5

Passing

Assists0

Defending

Tackles39
Interceptions49
Blocks12

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards9
Red cards0

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.