Jody Lukoki

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Jody Lukoki

| image = Jody Lukoki 2019.jpg

| caption = Lukoki with Ludogorets Razgrad in 2019

| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1992|11|15}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/clubs/player=250024195/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628194505/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/clubs/player=250024195/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 June 2011 |title=Jody Lukoki Profile |publisher=UEFA |access-date=11 February 2011}}

| birth_place = Kindu, Zaire

| height = 1.73 m

| death_date = {{death date and age|2022|5|9|1992|11|15|df=y}}

| death_place = Almere, Netherlands

| position = Winger

| youthyears1 = 2002

| youthclubs1 = VVA/Spartaan

| youthyears2 = 2002–2003

| youthclubs2 = Young Boys Haarlem

| youthyears3 = 2003–2012

| youthclubs3 = Ajax

| years1 = 2010–2014

| clubs1 = Ajax

| caps1 = 24

| goals1 = 5

| years2 = 2013–2014

| clubs2 = → SC Cambuur (loan)

| caps2 = 32

| goals2 = 2

| years3 = 2014–2015

| clubs3 = PEC Zwolle

| caps3 = 33

| goals3 = 2

| years5 = 2015–2020

| clubs5 = Ludogorets Razgrad II

| caps5 = 6

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2015–2020

| clubs6 = Ludogorets Razgrad

| caps6 = 102

| goals6 = 17

| years7 = 2020–2021

| clubs7 = Yeni Malatyaspor

| caps7 = 10

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2021–2022

| clubs8 = Twente

| caps8 = 0

| goals8 = 0

| totalcaps = 207

| totalgoals = 26

| nationalyears1 = 2010–2011

| nationalteam1 = Netherlands U19

| nationalcaps1 = 11

| nationalgoals1 = 2

| nationalyears2 = 2012–2013

| nationalteam2 = Netherlands U20

| nationalcaps2 = 8

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2013

| nationalteam3 = Netherlands U21

| nationalcaps3 = 1

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| nationalyears4 = 2015–2020

| nationalteam4 = DR Congo

| nationalcaps4 = 3

| nationalgoals4 = 0

}}

Jody Lukoki (15 November 1992 – 9 May 2022) was a Congolese-Dutch professional footballer who played as a winger for various clubs and the DR Congo national team.

Lukoki progressed through the famed Ajax youth academy, making his professional debut in 2011 against rivals Feyenoord. After failing to make his definitive breakthrough he was sent on loan to Cambuur, before joining PEC Zwolle on a permanent deal in 2014. He moved abroad after one season, signing with Bulgarian club Ludogorets Razgrad where he enjoyed considerable success. Short spells followed with Yeni Malatyaspor and Twente.

A Netherlands youth international, he was capped at the U19, U20 and U21 levels. He received his first call-up for DR Congo in 2015, and represented the country on three occasions.

On 9 May 2022, Lukoki died at the age of 29 of a cardiac arrest at a hospital in Almere, after an argument with his family had turned violent. Months earlier, he had been convicted of domestic violence after which Twente terminated his contract.

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 a 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.{{cite news |title=Lukoki humiliates De Cler |url=http://www.funx.nl/index.php/nieuws/sport/12308-ajacied-lukoki-vernedert-feyenoorder-de-cler |language=nl |date=20 January 2011 |access-date=8 October 2011 |archive-date=5 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405063323/http://www.funx.nl/index.php/nieuws/sport/12308-ajacied-lukoki-vernedert-feyenoorder-de-cler |url-status=dead }} He would go on to make his second appearance in the 3–2 away loss against rivals ADO Den Haag on 20 March 2011.{{cite news |url=http://nos.nl/artikel/227054-ado-verslaat-ajax-ook-in-den-haag.html|title=ADO beats Ajax in The Hague |publisher=NOS.nl |language=nl |date=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.{{cite news |url=http://www.ajaxshowtime.com/hoofdnieuws/72162/lukoki-trainer-geeft-vertrouwen-.html|title=Lukoki, trainer geeft vertrouwen|publisher=Ajax Showtime |language=nl |date=2 August 2013}}

=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.{{cite news |url=http://www.rtvoost.nl/sport/betaaldvoetbal.aspx?nid=195481&cat=313|title=Jody Lukoki voor drie seizoenen naar PEC Zwolle|publisher=RTV Oost |language=nl |date=7 August 2013}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://www.nusport.nl/voetbal/3858130/pec-speelt-gelijk-sparta-praag-bij-debuut-in-europa.html|title=PEC spelt gelijk Sparta Praag bij debuut in Europa|publisher=NU Sport|language=nl |date=22 August 2014}}

=Ludogorets=

On 26 June 2015, Lukoki signed with the Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad.{{cite news|title=Официално: Лудогорец подписа с конгоански национал|url=http://ludogorets.gong.bg/bg-football/a-grupa/oficialno-ludogorec-podpisa-s-kongoanski-nacional-334571|access-date=6 July 2015|publisher=gong.bg|language=bg}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://sportal.bg/news-2020061618182973038|title=Лудогорец взе поредна жертва в Първа лига и си осигури сериозна преднина на върха (видео)|website=Sportal.bg}} During his time at Ludogorets Razgrad he was nicknamed "Синът на вятъра" (English: "The Son of the Wind").{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportal.bg/news.php?news=685643|title = "Синът на вятъра" и Натанаел разпиляха Септември (видео)}} 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.{{cite web |title=Страхотен Лудогорец и голяма европейска победа над Хофенхайм |url=https://gong.bg/bg-football/evrouchastnici/multimedia/gallery/strahoten-ludogorec-i-goliama-evropejska-pobeda-nad-nemci-451594 |author=Evtimov, Emil |publisher=gong.bg |access-date=11 June 2020 |date=28 September 2017}} On 1 April 2020, Ludogorets Razgrad announced that they had mutually agreed to terminate Lukoki's contract, allowing him to return to the Netherlands.{{cite web |title=Ludogorets and Lukoki agreed to part ways |url=https://www.ludogorets.com/en/news/?i=3506 |website=ludogorets.com/ |publisher=PFC Ludogorets Razgrad |access-date=29 April 2020 |date=1 April 2020}}

=Later career=

In July 2020, Lukoki signed a two-year contract with Turkish club Yeni Malatyaspor.{{cite web|title=Yeni Malatyaspor'da ilk transfer Jody Lukoki|url=https://www.goal.com/tr/haber/yeni-malatyasporda-ilk-transfer-jody-lukoki/5ge9urtpnlwo1xisd47cn0xy9|publisher=goal.com|date=9 July 2020| access-date=18 January 2021|language=tr}} He made his competitive debut on 18 September in a 1–1 league draw against Göztepe. His contract was terminated by mutual consent on 26 April 2021, after his twelfth appearance for the club.{{cite news |last1=Knipping |first1=Tom |title=Lukoki ontvangt na inmenging FIFA gouden handdruk uit Turkije |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/lukoki-ontvangt-na-inmenging-fifa-gouden-handdruk-uit-turkije |access-date=5 June 2022 |work=Voetbal International |date=10 November 2021 |language=nl}}

Lukoki returned to the Netherlands, joining Eredivisie club Twente on a two-year contract in June 2021.{{cite news |title=Twente haalt aanvaller Lukoki terug naar Nederland |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2387227-twente-haalt-aanvaller-lukoki-terug-naar-nederland |access-date=5 June 2022 |work=NOS |date=29 June 2021 |language=nl}} A few days after signing, he suffered a serious knee injury during practice, which sidelined him for a season.{{cite news |title=Domper voor Lukoki: Twente-nieuweling loopt zware knieblessure op |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/domper-voor-lukoki-twente-nieuweling-loopt-zware-knieblessure-op |access-date=5 June 2022 |work=Voetbal International |date=6 July 2021 |language=nl}} Twente released Lukoki on 17 February 2022, shortly after he was convicted of domestic violence.{{cite news |last1=Ten Voorde |first1=Leon |title=FC Twente en Jody Lukoki gaan uit elkaar na huiselijk geweld |url=https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/fc-twente-en-jody-lukoki-gaan-uit-elkaar-na-huiselijk-geweld~a285c81f/ |access-date=5 June 2022 |work=Algemeen Dagblad |date=17 February 2022 |language=nl}}

International career

Lukoki held dual citizenship and was eligible to represent either Netherlands or DR Congo at senior level. He represented Netherlands at various youth levels, reaching third place with the U-19 team at the Festival International 'Espoirs' 2012 in Toulon, France.{{cite web|url=http://www.bestevoetballers.nl/Eredivisie-clubs/Ajax/Beste-speler-2011-2012/Jody-Lukoki/|title=Over Jody Lukoki|year=2012|publisher=Bestevoetballers.nl|access-date=5 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017173517/http://www.bestevoetballers.nl/Eredivisie-clubs/Ajax/Beste-speler-2011-2012/Jody-Lukoki/|archive-date=17 October 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ajaxinside.nl/spelers/profiel/85/Jody-Lukoki|title=Jody Lukoki player profile|year=2012|publisher=ajaxinside.nl|access-date=5 July 2012}} On 19 March 2015, Lukoki received his first call for the DR Congo team for the match against Iraq and earned his first cap in that game.[http://www.vi.nl/nieuws/interlandloopbaan-bij-dr-congo-lonkt-voor-lukoki-en-tamata.htm Interlandloopbaan bij DR Congo lonkt voor Lukoki en Tamata] (Dutch). Voetbal International. 19 March 2015.

Personal life

=Domestic violence conviction=

In January 2022, Lukoki was convicted of domestic violence, receiving a two-week suspended sentence with a probationary period of three years. He was also ordered to perform 80 hours of community service.{{cite news |title=FC Twente neemt maatregelen tegen Lukoki na veroordeling huiselijk geweld |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2415357-fc-twente-neemt-maatregelen-tegen-lukoki-na-veroordeling-huiselijk-geweld |access-date=5 June 2022 |work=NOS |date=1 February 2022 |language=nl}}

=Death=

On 9 May 2022,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/61381261|title=DR Congo international Lukoki dies aged 29|work=BBC Sport }} Lukoki died at the age of 29 of a cardiac arrest at a hospital in Almere, after being beaten by his family in an argument.{{Cite web|url=https://www.parool.nl/gs-b70f616b|title=Van beenamputatie tot coma en vroege dood: ruzie met familie wordt Jody Lukoki (29) fataal|first=Het Parool/Thomas|last=Sijtsma|date=9 May 2022|website=Het Parool}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/2022/05/11/627b8d7ce2704efc738b4596.html|title=Ex-Ajax player Jody Lukoki dies after being beaten by his family|date=11 May 2022|website=MARCA}}

Career statistics

= Club =

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|Cup !colspan="2"\|Continental{{efn\|Appearances in UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League}} !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="4"\|Ajax \|2010–11 \|rowspan="3"\|Eredivisie \|2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	3	0
2011–12 \|6	2	3	0	4	0	0	0	13	2
2012–13 \|16	3	3	0	4	0	0	0	23	3
colspan="2"\|Total !24	5	6	0	9	0	0	0	39	5
Cambuur (loan) \|2013–14 \|Eredivisie \|32	2	2	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	34	2
PEC Zwolle \|2014–15 \|Eredivisie \|33	2	5	1	2	1	colspan="2"\|—	40	4
Ludogorets Razgrad II \|2015–16 \|Second League \|4	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	4	0
rowspan="6"\|Ludogorets Razgrad \|2015–16 \|A Group \|20	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	23	0
2016–17 \|rowspan="4"\|First League \|15	1	4	0	7	3	0	0	26	4
2017–18 \|28	7	2	0	11	1	0	0	41	8
2018–19 \|28	6	3	1	11	1	1{{efn\|name=bsuper\|Appearances in Bulgarian Supercup}}	0	43	8
2019–20 \|11	3	1	1	11	5	1{{efn\|name=bsuper}}	1	24	10
colspan="2"\|Total !102	17	12	2	41	10	2	1	157	30
colspan="3"\|Career total !195	26	25	3	42	11	2	1	274	41

=International=

National team	Year	Apps
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
rowspan="2"\|DR Congo \|2015	2	0
2019	1	0
colspan="2"\|Total	3	0

Honours

Ajax{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/jody-lukoki/158584/ |title=Jody Lukoki - profile |publisher=Soccerway}}

Eredivisie: 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13

Ludogorets Razgrad

References

External links

[http://www.vi.nl/spelers/carriere/jody-lukoki.htm Voetbal International profile] {{in lang|nl}}
{{soccerway}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234631/http://www.onsoranje.nl/team-statistieken/teams/speler/20/4f8c426a-b7d41309-118040 Netherlands stats] at OnsOranje
{{NFT player|58915}}

Category:1992 births

Category:2022 deaths

Category:Dutch twins

Category:Men's association football wingers

Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo men's footballers

Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo expatriate men's footballers

Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo men's international footballers

Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo emigrants to the Netherlands

Category:Dutch men's footballers

Category:Netherlands men's under-21 international footballers

Category:Netherlands men's youth international footballers

Category:Footballers from Amsterdam