Seppe Rotty is a 190 cm Belgian outside hitter born in Torhout on March 12, 2001. He has represented Belgium’s senior national team since 2021 and currently plays for Allianz Milano in the Italian SuperLega, wearing No. 12 for both club and country. Before moving to Italy, he played three seasons for Decospan Volley Team Menen and three for Knack Volley Roeselare.
Rotty’s profile is unusual for an elite men’s outside hitter because he is not exceptionally tall for the position yet has built his game around explosiveness, jumping ability and a full six-rotation workload. He led the 2021 U21 World Championship in both scoring and successful attacks, later earned selection to the 2024/25 CEV Champions League All-Star Team, and moved abroad for the first time in 2025. His first Milano season was interrupted by a serious shoulder injury and surgery, but he returned late in the campaign, won the 2026 CEV Challenge Cup and was retained for 2026/27.
Player Information
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Seppe Rotty |
| Date of Birth | March 12, 2001 |
| Place of Birth | Torhout, Belgium |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Position | Outside Hitter |
| Height | 190 cm |
| Weight | 81 kg |
| Attack Reach | 345 cm |
| Block Reach | 325 cm |
| Dominant Hand | Right |
| College / University | Ghent University — Industrial Civil Engineering |
| Previous Clubs | Topsportschool Vilvoorde, Decospan Volley Team Menen, Knack Volley Roeselare |
| Current Club | Allianz Milano |
| Club Number | 12 |
| National Team | Belgium Men’s National Volleyball Team |
| National-Team Number | 12 |
| Senior National Team | Since 2021 |
| Senior Caps | 51 on the current Topvolley Belgium player listing |
Early Life & Volleyball Beginnings
Rotty’s entry into volleyball happened largely by accident. His family background was more closely connected to tennis, and as a child he practiced both tennis and athletics. At six years old, he arrived early for an athletics session, entered a sports hall while waiting and found a local volleyball club holding try-outs.
He joined in and stayed with the sport.
In a 2022 CEV feature on his development, Rotty recalled that volleyball remained more of a hobby until he was around 15. An invitation to Belgium’s elite volleyball school changed the direction of his sporting life. He entered Topsportschool Vilvoorde and began treating the game as a possible professional career rather than simply another activity.
After completing the school program at 18, he received an offer from Decospan Volley Team Menen. The move allowed him to train every day while continuing his studies in Industrial Civil Engineering at Ghent University.
International development ran alongside that transition. Rotty represented Belgium at several youth levels and was part of the generation that included players such as Wout D’Heer, Simon Plaskie and Samuel Fafchamps. By the time he left the youth pathway, he had become one of its most productive attackers.
The clearest example came at the 2021 FIVB Men’s U21 World Championship. Belgium finished fifth, while Rotty completed the tournament as its leading individual performer and one of the event’s statistical standouts.
Club Career
Decospan Volley Team Menen
Rotty began his senior professional career with Decospan Volley Team Menen in 2019 after completing his development at Topsportschool Vilvoorde.
Menen offered a useful environment for a young outside hitter because he could train as a professional while receiving substantial playing responsibility. Rotty remained with the club for three seasons, progressing from a teenage prospect into one of the more productive attackers in the Belgian league.
His 2021 U21 World Championship performance accelerated that rise. Rotty returned from the tournament after scoring 137 points, including 119 successful attacks, and carried that form into his club season.
A January 2022 CEV feature recorded him among the Belgian league’s stronger performers at the time, averaging 4.13 points per set while also ranking second in serving at 0.57 aces per set.
Rotty was named Player of the Year in 2022, closing his Menen period with individual recognition and an opportunity to move to the reigning Belgian champions.
Three Seasons with Knack Volley Roeselare
Rotty joined Knack Volley Roeselare for 2022/23. The transfer changed the competitive expectations around him immediately: Knack was built to win domestic trophies and play meaningful European matches every season.
His first year produced success on both fronts. Knack won the Belgian championship, Belgian Cup and Belgian Supercup and also reached the final of the CEV Cup.
The European run included a dramatic semifinal against Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza. Knack lost the second leg 3–0 in Italy but won the golden set to advance. In the final, Roeselare then produced a 3–0 away victory over Valsa Group Modena before Modena reversed the result in Belgium and won another golden set to take the trophy.
Rotty and Knack therefore finished as CEV Cup runners-up, but the campaign established the club as a competitive European side rather than only a domestic force.
The domestic titles continued in 2023/24. Roeselare again won the Belgian championship, Belgian Cup and Belgian Supercup. Rotty also received another Player of the Year recognition in 2024.
His final Knack season became arguably his strongest European campaign as an individual. In the 2024/25 CEV Champions League, Rotty scored 92 points in 22 sets, an average of 4.18 per set. Roeselare did not advance beyond the pool stage, but his individual production remained high against Champions League opposition.
One match proved particularly relevant to his future. Playing away against Allianz Milano at the Allianz Cloud, Rotty scored 30 points for Knack. Milano would sign him only a few months later.
At the end of the European season, Rotty was selected as one of the two outside hitters in the CEV Champions League All-Star Team. He was the only player from outside the Final Four clubs selected to the team.
Knack also completed an exceptional domestic 2024/25 campaign. The club won the Belgian championship and Belgian Cup again, adding the inaugural BeNe Cup and BeNe Conference titles.
Rotty left Roeselare after three seasons with three consecutive Belgian championships, three Belgian Cups, two Belgian Supercups, a CEV Cup silver medal and the two new cross-border BeNe trophies.
First Move Abroad with Allianz Milano
Allianz Milano announced Rotty on June 4, 2025. It was his first club outside Belgium and fulfilled a goal he had discussed several years earlier: testing himself in one of Europe’s strongest leagues.
In Milano’s introductory interview, Rotty described himself as an explosive player who had learned to rely on that quality because he was not especially tall for an international outside hitter. He also emphasized the opportunity to improve in a new competitive environment.
The move reunited him with Belgian national-team teammate Ferre Reggers. Rotty said their friendship made his first season abroad feel less unfamiliar and had been one factor in his decision to choose Milano.
His first Italian season was disrupted before the SuperLega campaign had even begun.
On October 12, 2025, during the Jesi Volley Cup final against Piacenza, Rotty and setter Fernando Kreling collided while both were attempting a defensive play. Medical examinations identified an acromioclavicular dislocation in Rotty’s right shoulder, requiring surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation program.
The injury kept him out for much of 2025/26. Milano gradually reintroduced him later in the season, first in back-row responsibilities and eventually in front-row rotations.
His limited SuperLega season produced 11 points, but the comeback allowed him to rejoin the squad during the decisive part of Milano’s European campaign.
CEV Challenge Cup Champion and Milano Renewal
Milano reached the 2026 CEV Challenge Cup final against Lindemans Aalst and won both legs in straight sets. Rotty was available for the final series as his return from shoulder surgery continued, making the title his first European trophy at club level.
It was also Milano’s first trophy of his time in Italy.
The club followed the season by confirming that Rotty would remain for 2026/27. Milano’s May 2026 renewal announcement framed the decision around both his technical value and the work required to return from the shoulder injury.
The renewal gives Rotty an opportunity to experience a more representative SuperLega season after his first year in Italy was largely shaped by rehabilitation.
Club Career Timeline
| Seasons | Team | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2016/17–2018/19 | Topsportschool Vilvoorde | Belgium |
| 2019/20–2021/22 | Decospan Volley Team Menen | Belgium |
| 2022/23–2024/25 | Knack Volley Roeselare | Belgium |
| 2025/26–present | Allianz Milano | Italy |
National Team Career
Rotty progressed through several Belgian youth national teams before reaching the senior Red Dragons. His youth record includes European age-group competition, the 2019 European Youth Olympic Festival and the 2021 U21 World Championship.
The U21 World Championship in Sardinia became his defining youth tournament. Belgium finished fifth, while Rotty led all players with 137 points and also finished first in successful attacks with 119.
The performance was especially significant because it showed that his 190 cm height did not prevent him from carrying a heavy attacking workload against elite age-group opposition. Rotty later described the scoring title as confirmation that the work he had invested in his game was producing results.
His senior national-team career began in 2021 during the European Golden League cycle. He also appeared at EuroVolley that year and remained part of Belgium’s international program through subsequent Golden League and European Championship campaigns.
By 2024, Rotty had become one of Belgium’s main outside-hitter options.
At the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup, Belgium reached the final in its first appearance in the tournament. Rotty scored 54 points across three matches: 50 in attack and four from blocks.
His opening performance against Croatia produced 24 points, including 22 successful attacks. He followed with 18 points as Belgium recovered from two sets down to defeat Ukraine in the semifinal.
China won the final 3–1, leaving Belgium with the silver medal. The tournament nevertheless showed how much attacking volume Rotty could handle while continuing to participate in serve reception.
2025 World Championship Quarterfinal Run
The 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship marked another step forward for Belgium.
The Red Dragons opened against Ukraine, and Rotty immediately had an impact from the service line. He scored 13 points in the straight-set victory, including five of Belgium’s six aces.
Belgium then defeated defending champions Italy in five sets and completed the pool stage unbeaten. A 3–0 victory over Finland in the round of 16 sent the Red Dragons to their first World Championship quarterfinal in 55 years.
Italy won the quarterfinal rematch, but Belgium finished seventh overall.
The result placed Rotty’s generation alongside a more experienced core led by Sam Deroo and showed that the national team could compete deep into a major world tournament.
Volleyball Nations League and EuroVolley 2026
Rotty returned to a substantial international workload during the 2026 Volleyball Nations League after his interrupted club season in Milano.
Across the VNL preliminary phase, he scored 70 points: 60 in attack, nine from blocks and one ace. He appeared in 12 matches.
His best scoring performance came against Poland on June 24. Rotty finished with 18 points, including 14 successful attacks and four blocks.
Those numbers were notable after a club year in which shoulder surgery had sharply limited his match volume. By the summer, he was again handling regular outside-hitter responsibilities in international volleyball.
Rotty remained in Belgium’s No. 12 jersey for EuroVolley 2026. The Red Dragons advanced from the group stage in Tampere, defeated Czechia in the round of 16 and reached the European Championship quarterfinals for the first time since 2017.
Slovenia ended Belgium’s tournament with a 3–1 victory in Turin on September 23.
Playing Style & Strengths
Rotty is a six-rotation outside hitter whose game is shaped partly by the fact that he is shorter than many elite attackers at his position. Rather than relying on exceptional standing height, he uses acceleration, jumping ability and aggressive attacking mechanics to create scoring opportunities.
Rotty himself has described explosiveness as a central part of his game. That assessment fits both his physical profile and his career statistics. His current federation listing gives him an attack reach of 345 cm, while Milano’s original signing profile used an even higher figure.
His youth career showed early evidence that the physical difference could be overcome. At the 2021 U21 World Championship, Rotty finished as both the tournament’s leading scorer and leading attacker despite competing against many taller outside hitters.
He is not limited to one attacking role. Milano specifically noted when signing him that he could play both outside hitter and opposite, giving the team an additional tactical option when lineups change.
Reception remains an important part of his normal role. At the 2024 Volleyball Challenger Cup, Rotty handled 96 receptions across Belgium’s three matches while also producing 50 attack points. That balance between first-contact work and scoring is central to his value as an outside hitter.
His serve can also become a significant scoring weapon. The clearest senior example came in Belgium’s opening match at the 2025 World Championship, when five of his 13 points against Ukraine came from aces.
Blocking has become another useful source of points. During the 2026 VNL, Rotty scored nine times from the block, including four in the match against Poland.
The combination gives him several ways to stay useful even when his attacking volume changes. On a roster with high-volume scorers such as Ferre Reggers, Rotty can contribute through reception and defensive structure while still being capable of carrying a larger offensive role when required.
Major Achievements
Selected National Team Honors
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup | Silver medal |
| 2025 | FIVB Men’s World Championship | Quarterfinalist / 7th place |
| 2026 | CEV European Championship | Quarterfinalist |
Selected Club Honors
| Season | Competition | Result | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022/23 | Belgian Championship | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2022/23 | Belgian Cup | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2022/23 | Belgian Supercup | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2022/23 | CEV Cup | Runner-up | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2023/24 | Belgian Championship | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2023/24 | Belgian Cup | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2023/24 | Belgian Supercup | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2024/25 | Belgian Championship | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2024/25 | Belgian Cup | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2024/25 | BeNe Cup | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2024/25 | BeNe Conference | Champion | Knack Volley Roeselare |
| 2025/26 | CEV Challenge Cup | Champion | Allianz Milano |
Selected Individual Awards
| Year / Season | Competition / Award | Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | FIVB Men’s U21 World Championship | Tournament leading scorer — 137 points |
| 2021 | FIVB Men’s U21 World Championship | Tournament leading attacker — 119 successful attacks |
| 2022 | Belgian volleyball | Player of the Year |
| 2024 | Belgian volleyball | Player of the Year |
| 2024/25 | CEV Champions League | All-Star Team — Outside Hitter |
Personal Life & Education
Rotty has continued his education alongside professional volleyball. He began studying Industrial Civil Engineering at Ghent University after leaving Topsportschool Vilvoorde and was still discussing his engineering studies publicly after signing with Milano.
That combination has required him to use much of his free time for academic work. In his introductory interview with Milano, Rotty said his other interests include watching television series, reading, playing board games and following financial markets.
He also enjoys going out for dinner when his schedule allows.
Rotty moved to Italy with his girlfriend for his first season abroad. The change represented more than a sporting transfer: until joining Milano, his entire club career had been spent in Belgium.
His 2025 interview showed that he viewed learning a new language and experiencing life in another country as part of the value of the move rather than simply an inconvenience attached to playing in SuperLega.
Where Is Seppe Rotty Playing Now?
Seppe Rotty remains with Allianz Milano for the 2026/27 season.
Milano confirmed his renewal on May 15, 2026, after a first Italian season heavily affected by the shoulder injury he suffered in October 2025. The club’s current roster continues to list him as outside hitter No. 12.
The decision gives Rotty a second opportunity to establish himself in SuperLega after spending much of 2025/26 rehabilitating from surgery.
His first season was not without a major result. Rotty returned in time to participate during Milano’s run to the CEV Challenge Cup title, and the team defeated Lindemans Aalst in both legs of the final.
He then returned to regular international competition with Belgium, scoring 70 points in the 2026 VNL before continuing to EuroVolley, where the Red Dragons reached the quarterfinals.
Milano’s 2026/27 roster has changed substantially around him, but Rotty remains one of the club’s outside hitters and begins the season fully integrated into the squad rather than entering another rehabilitation period.
Recent Performance Snapshot
| Date / Competition | Performance / Milestone |
|---|---|
| May 2025 | Selected to the 2024/25 CEV Champions League All-Star Team after scoring 92 points in 22 sets |
| September 14, 2025 — World Championship vs. Ukraine | 13 points, including 5 aces, in Belgium’s 3–0 victory |
| October 12, 2025 — Jesi Volley Cup | Suffered a right acromioclavicular shoulder dislocation that required surgery |
| April 2026 — CEV Challenge Cup | Returned from rehabilitation and finished the campaign as a European champion with Allianz Milano |
| June 24, 2026 — VNL vs. Poland | 18 points: 14 attacks and 4 blocks |
| 2026 VNL | 70 points: 60 attacks, 9 blocks and 1 ace |
| September 2026 — EuroVolley | Helped Belgium reach the quarterfinals |
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Seppe Rotty?
Allianz Milano, CEV and Volleyball World currently list Rotty at 190 cm. Topvolley Belgium uses 192 cm, but 190 cm is the figure consistently shown by his current club and the major international competition profiles.
What position does Seppe Rotty play?
Rotty is primarily an outside hitter. Allianz Milano has also identified him as capable of playing opposite, giving him some positional flexibility in high-ball attacking roles.
Which club does Seppe Rotty play for?
Rotty plays for Allianz Milano in the Italian SuperLega. He joined the club in 2025 and was retained for the 2026/27 season.
What number does Seppe Rotty wear?
Rotty wears No. 12 for Allianz Milano and No. 12 for the Belgium men’s national team.
What happened to Seppe Rotty’s shoulder?
Rotty suffered an acromioclavicular dislocation of his right shoulder during the Jesi Volley Cup final on October 12, 2025. The injury required surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period. He returned gradually later in the 2025/26 season.
What are Seppe Rotty’s biggest individual achievements?
Rotty led the 2021 U21 World Championship in scoring with 137 points and in successful attacks with 119. He was named Player of the Year in Belgium in 2022 and 2024 and was selected to the 2024/25 CEV Champions League All-Star Team as an outside hitter.
What does Seppe Rotty study?
Rotty has studied Industrial Civil Engineering at Ghent University while continuing his professional volleyball career.
References
- Allianz Milano — Seppe Rotty official player profile
- Allianz Milano — Seppe Rotty joins the club for his first SuperLega season
- Allianz Milano — Seppe Rotty renewed for the 2026/27 season after his shoulder recovery
- Topvolley Belgium — Seppe Rotty Red Dragons player profile
- CEV — The Next Big Thing in Volleyball: Seppe Rotty
- Volleyball World — Seppe Rotty 2024 Volleyball Challenger Cup player profile and statistics
- Volleyball World — Belgium open the 2025 World Championship with a sweep of Ukraine
- Volleyball World — Seppe Rotty VNL 2026 player profile and statistics
- CEV Champions League — 2024/25 Men’s All-Star Team
- Knack Volley Roeselare — Club honors and historical results
- CEV — Modena defeat Knack Roeselare in the 2023 CEV Cup final
- CEV — 2026 Challenge Cup final standings
