Biography
Romelu Lukaku Bolingoli, born on May 13, 1993, in Antwerp, Belgium, is a professional footballer playing as a striker for Serie A club Napoli and the Belgium national team. Known for his strength, speed, and precise finishing, Lukaku is one of Europe's most prolific goalscorers and Belgium's all-time leading scorer with 89 international goals, ranking second among European men's top goalscorers in international football.
Lukaku started his professional career at Anderlecht, where he quickly made a mark by winning a Belgian Pro League title and becoming the league's top goalscorer. His impressive performances caught international attention, leading to a £10 million transfer to Chelsea in 2011. However, limited chances at Stamford Bridge led to loan spells at West Bromwich Albion and Everton, where he shined. His success at Everton resulted in a permanent £28 million move to the Merseyside club in 2014, then a club record, where he enhanced his reputation as a consistent goalscorer, finishing as the Premier League's second-top goalscorer.
In 2017, Manchester United signed Lukaku for £75 million, but his time there was challenging due to a fallout with the club. This prompted his move to Inter Milan in 2019 for a club-record €80 million fee. At Inter, Lukaku had the most successful phase of his club career, winning a Serie A title and earning the Serie A Most Valuable Player award. His time in Italy revitalized his career and reputation.
Lukaku's career took another major turn in 2021 when he returned to Chelsea for a club-record £97.5 million, making him the seventh-most expensive player in football history and the most expensive Belgian player ever. This move also marked the highest total transfer fees for any player at that time. However, his second stint at Chelsea was short, lasting just one season before he was loaned back to Italy, first to Inter Milan and then to Roma, before eventually joining Napoli permanently, where he won another Serie A title. His international career is equally impressive; he debuted for Belgium in 2010 and has played in six major tournaments, including three World Cups and three European Championships, notably finishing as joint second-highest goalscorer at the 2018 World Cup where he earned the Bronze Boot.
Before Fame
Growing up in Antwerp, Lukaku was born into a family of athletes. His father, Roger Lukaku, was a professional footballer who played for Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo. This family background gave young Romelu early exposure to the world of professional football and the dedication needed to make it at a high level.
Lukaku's impressive physical abilities and natural talent for scoring goals showed during his youth career at local clubs before he joined Anderlecht's academy. His quick rise through the youth ranks happened at the same time as Belgium's golden generation in the late 2000s and early 2010s, when the country was producing standout players who would later make Belgium a major force in international football.
Key Achievements
- Belgium's all-time leading goalscorer with 89 international goals
- Won Serie A titles with Inter Milan (2021) and Napoli (2023)
- Named Serie A Most Valuable Player in 2021
- Bronze Boot winner at 2018 FIFA World Cup as joint second-highest goalscorer
- Became the most expensive Belgian player in history with his £97.5 million transfer to Chelsea in 2021
Did You Know?
- 01.Lukaku made his international debut for Belgium at age 16, becoming one of the youngest players ever to represent the national team
- 02.He has scored more than 20 goals in a season across four different leagues: Belgian Pro League, Premier League, Serie A, and in European competitions
- 03.Lukaku's cumulative transfer fees exceed €300 million, making him one of the most expensive players in football history when combining all his moves
- 04.He is fluent in eight languages: Dutch, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Lingala, and German
- 05.His younger brother Jordan Lukaku is also a professional footballer who has represented Belgium internationally