Jody Lukoki


Jody Lukoki, nicknamed "The Son of the Wind", is a Congolese professional footballer who plays as a winger for Yeni Malatyaspor in the Turkish Süper Lig, and the DR Congo national team.

Club career

Early life and career

Lukoki was born in Zaire but immigrated to the Netherlands with his parents and his twin brother, NAC Breda player Madjer Lukoki at an young age due to the First Congo War. Growing up in Amsterdam, he joined the local club VVA/Spartaan at the age of ten.

Ajax

After playing for VVA/Spartaan and Young Boys Haarlem, Lukoki joined the youth ranks of Ajax. He made his debut for the first team in the 2–0 home win against rivals Feyenoord on 19 January 2011, replacing Lorenzo Ebecilio in the 80th minute. He immediately got the home fans on his side by giving Tim de Cler a nutmeg when the ball was already out of play. He would go on to make his second appearance in the 3–2 away loss against rivals ADO Den Haag on 20 March 2011. The 2011–12 season started with Lukoki scoring his first career Eredivisie goal in his season debut against Roda JC.

SC Cambuur (loan)

Having contributed to three national titles in his first three seasons with Ajax, Lukoki would remain third-choice winger under Frank de Boer and was granted permission to explore other options. On 2 August 2013, he was loaned out to newly promoted SC Cambuur for the season.

PEC Zwolle

On 7 August 2014 it was announced that Lukoki would transfer to PEC Zwolle on a three-year contract for a reported €1.5 million, joining the team that had recently defeated Ajax in the KNVB Cup final as well as the Johan Cruijff Shield. On 21 August 2014 Lukoki scored PEC Zwolle's first-ever goal in a continental competition, when they faced Sparta Prague in the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League play-off round. The match ended in a 1–1 draw, with Lukoki scoring in the 77th minute in the club's European debut.

Ludogorets

On 26 June 2015, Lukoki signed with the Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad. The Congolese scored three goals in the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round matches against Mladost Podgorica. He scored his first goal in the league on 26 November 2016 in match against Botev Plovdiv. On 28 September 2017, Lukoki netted the winning goal in the 2:1 victory over 1899 Hoffenheim in a UEFA Europa League group stage match. On 1 April 2020, Ludogorets Razgrad announced that they had mutually agreed to terminate Lukoki's contract, allowing him to return to the Netherlands.

International career

Lukoki has represented Netherlands at various youth levels. He secured third place with the U-19 team at the Festival International 'Espoirs' 2012 in Toulon, France. He holds dual citizenship and is still eligible to represent either Netherlands or DR Congo at senior level. On 19 March 2015, Lukoki received his first call for the DR Congo team for the match against Iraq.

Career statistics

Club

1 Includes UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League matches.
2 Includes Johan Cruijff Shield matches.
3 Includes Bulgarian Supercup matches.

International

Honours

Club

;Ajax
;Ludogorets