Orlando Gill Gives His Nephew, Who’s Following in His Footsteps, a Change of Pace: His Uncle Spotted in Italy

Soccer runs in the family for Arnaud Bodart. The Belgian goalkeeper is, in fact, the grandson of Gilbert Bodart, a goalkeeper whom Italian fans remember for his time with Brescia and Ravenna. Now the 28-year-old could also be set to begin a new chapter in his career, with Le Havre ready to entrust him with the goal.

The French club has been searching for a new goalkeeper following the serious injury sustained by Lionel Mpasi, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the 2-1 loss to Brest. The choice has reportedly fallen on Bodart, with the deal now nearing completion.

For the Belgian, this would mark a permanent departure from Lille, the club he joined in July 2025. However, the LOSC hierarchy had relegated him to the role of third-string goalkeeper, behind Berke Özer and newcomer Orlando Gill. Lille is therefore reportedly ready to release him from the final ten months of his contract.

Bodart came up through the youth system at Standard Liège, where he progressed through all the youth ranks before earning a spot on the first team. His professional debut came on May 16, 2017, when he took the field in a 3-1 Pro League victory over Waasland-Beveren.

During his long tenure with Standard, he was also involved in an incident that was decidedly unusual for a goalkeeper. On November 22, 2020, in a league match against Eupen, Bodart ventured into the opponent’s penalty area during stoppage time and, in the 96th minute, scored the final goal of the match—a 2-2 tie—with a tap-in following a free kick.
The goalkeeper has also gained experience at the international level, representing Belgium’s Under-17, Under-18, and Under-21 national teams. Now a new opportunity is on the horizon for Bodart in France: Le Havre is ready to move quickly to fill the goalkeeping vacancy left by Mpasi’s serious injury.