Joseph Paintsil’s contribution to KRC Genk success in the first round of the Belgian Jupilar Pro League has been scrutinized as the Smurfs are cruising at the summit of the standings.

The budding winger joined Genk on a four-year contract in a deal worth €2.5 million from Ghanaian second-tier side Tema Youth after excelling on a loan spell at Hungarian giants Ferencvaros.

Despite the bumper transfer fee Genk paid for the 21-year-old, he was third on the pecking order behind Leandro Trossard and Alejandro Pozuelo.

Paintsil’s churned many playing minutes but the only highlight was the brace he bagged in their 5-1 victory over KAA Gent.

He scored 4 goals in 22 games in all competitions during the first half of the league season.