Jordan Zacharie Lukaku Menama Mokelenge was born in Antwerp, Belgium, on July 25, 1994. He is Belgian of Congolese origins. His father played for Zaire but then moved to Belgium. Jordan's brother Romelu is also a footballer (Anderlecht, Chelsea, W.B.A, Everton, Manchester United, Chelsea and Inter).
Jordan started his youth career with Wintam, Boom, Lierse and from 2006-13 Anderlecht.
In 2011 he joined Anderlecht's first team and made his debut on March 12, 2012 against Zulte Waregem. He played 6 games that season and the "Paars-Wit" won the league.
The following year he was in the squad and was often on the bench but never actually played. The Brussels team won the double, league and Supercup.
In 2013 he joined K.V.Oostende in Belgium's top league. In his first year he played 16 league games and 3 in the cup. The "Kustboys" finished 9th and won a Europa League playoff.
At this point Oostende definitely bought Lukaku and in his second year he played 29 league games (including playoffs) and one in the domestic cup. The Reds finished 10th.
In 2015-16 he scored his first professional goal against Westerlo. He had a good season playing 34 league games (including playoffs) with 3 goals. His performances brought him to the attention of some foreign clubs.
In 2016 he signed for Lazio. In Rome he played under Simone Inzaghi and in his first season played 16 league games and 4 in Coppa Italia. The Biancocelesti had a decent season and came 5th, qualifying for the Europa League. They also reached the final of Coppa Italia but were beaten by Juventus 2-0.
In 2017-18 he had his most consistent season. He played 30 league games with 1 goal (Crotone), 4 in Coppa Italia, 9 in UEL and the Italian Supercoppa. In the Supercoppa final against Juventus he set up the 3-2 winner in injury time. In the league Lazio finished 5th again.
In 2018-19 he was hampered by injuries and only played 7 league games and 1 in Coppa Italia. Lazio finished 8th but triumphed in the Coppa Italia beating Atalanta 2-0.
In 2019-20 he played slightly more but was again limited by physical problems. He made 13 league appearances and Lazio finished 4th (Champions League after 13 years) and won the Italian Supercoppa beating Juventus 3-1 in Riyadh.
In 2020 he was loaned back to Belgium, to Royal Antwerp. He played 22 league games (including playoffs), 2 in the Belgian cup and 5 in the UEL. So after two difficult years he finally played with some continuity.
In 2021-22 he returned to Lazio, now under Maurizio Sarri. He never played and in January 2022 was loaned to Vicenza in Serie B. He played 9 league games (including playouts) but the Biancorossi were relegated.
In 2022-23 he moved to Spain and joined Ponferradina (Castiglia and León) in the Segunda (second tier). He played 7 league games and 1 in the Copa del Rey for "La Ponfe” but in February he terminated his contract and became a free agent. Ponferradina were then relegated.
Lukaku has represented Belgium at all age levels. U15's (2 games), U16's (6 games), U18's (3 games), U19's (7 games), U21's (12 games) and so far has won 8 full Belgium caps but not since 2017.
He is a defender and usually plays at left back. He can also be used as a left midfielder. At 1.77 and 83 kilos he is strong physically but unfortunately prone to injury. When fit he is extremely good going forward and has a good cross.
At Lazio he played a total of 86 games with one goal. He had the quality to do more but was hindered by several injuries. In Rome however he won a Coppa Italia (2019) and two Supercups (2017, 2019).
In the first Supercoppa triumph he was a protagonist as he set up the winning goal. In the final against Juventus the Biancocelesti had given up a two goal lead and the game was heading towards extra time when Lukaku made a brilliant run down the left, before cutting in along the by-line, and squared the ball back for young Alessandro Murgia, who beat Buffon for the 3-2 winner. Along with a good run and perfect cross for an Immobile winner in Florence, that unstoppable burst by Lukaku gliding past Mattia De Sciglio is the image that has stayed in all Laziali's minds. A combination of power, speed balance and a perfect assist which will forever be part of Lazio history.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Europa League | Super Coppa |
2016-17 | 20 | 16 | 4 | - | - |
2017-18 | 44 (1) | 30 (1) | 4 | 9 | 1 |
2018-19 | 8 | 7 | 1 | - | - |
2019-20 | 13 | 13 | - | - | - |
Total | 85 (1) | 66 (1) | 9 | 9 | 1 |
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