Jody Lukoki (15 November 1992 – 9 May 2022) was a Congolese-Dutch professional

footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby lea ...

who played as a winger for various clubs and the

DR Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo (the last ambiguously also referring to the neighbouring Republic of the Congo), is a country in Central Africa. By land area, it is t ...

national team. Lukoki progressed through the famed

Ajax Ajax may refer to: Greek mythology and tragedy * Ajax the Great, a Greek mythological hero, son of King Telamon and Periboea * Ajax the Lesser, a Greek mythological hero, son of Oileus, the king of Locris * Ajax (play), ''Ajax'' (play), by the an ...

youth academy, making his professional debut in 2011 against rivals

Feyenoord Feyenoord Rotterdam () is a Netherlands, Dutch professional association football, football club based in Rotterdam, which plays in the Eredivisie, the top tier in Dutch football league system, Dutch football. Founded as Wilhelmina in 1908, the ...

. After failing to make his definitive breakthrough he was sent on loan to Cambuur, before joining

PEC Zwolle Prins Hendrik Ende Desespereert Nimmer Combinatie Zwolle, commonly known as PEC Zwolle, is a Dutch professional football club based in Zwolle, Netherlands. They play in the Eredivisie, the top tier of Dutch football. They have played in the Ered ...

on a permanent deal in 2014. He moved abroad after one season, signing with Bulgarian club

Ludogorets Razgrad Professional Football Club Ludogorets 1945 (), commonly known as Ludogorets Razgrad or simply Ludogorets, is a Bulgarian professional association football club based in Razgrad, which currently competes in the First Professional Football League ...

where he enjoyed considerable success. Short spells followed with

Yeni Malatyaspor Yeni Malatyaspor Kulübü is a Turkish professional football club based in Malatya. The club plays in the TFF First League, which is the second tier of football in the country. History Founded in 1986 as Malatya Belediyespor. Its primary colo ...

and

Twente Twente ( , Tweants dialect: ''Tweante'') is a region in the eastern Netherlands. It encompasses the most urbanised and easternmost part of the province of Overijssel. Twente is most likely named after the Tuihanti or Tvihanti, a Germanic people ...

. A Netherlands youth international, he was capped at the U19, U20 and U21 levels. He received his first call-up for

in 2015, and represented the country on three occasions. On 9 May 2022, Lukoki died at the age of 29 of a

cardiac arrest Cardiac arrest (also known as sudden cardiac arrest CA is when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. When the heart stops beating, blood cannot properly Circulatory system, circulate around the body and the blood flow to the ...

at a hospital in

Almere Almere () is a Planned community, planned List of cities in the Netherlands by province, city and List of municipalities of the Netherlands, municipality in the Provinces of the Netherlands, province of Flevoland, Netherlands across the IJmeer fro ...

, 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 Zaire, officially the Republic of Zaire, was the name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1971 to 18 May 1997. Located in Central Africa, it was, by area, the third-largest country in Africa after Sudan and Algeria, and the 11th-la ...

but immigrated to the Netherlands with his parents and his twin brother,

NAC Breda NAC Breda (), often simply known as NAC, is a Dutch professional football club, based in Breda, Netherlands. NAC Breda play in the Rat Verlegh Stadium, named after their most important player, Antoon 'Rat' Verlegh. They play in the Eredivisi ...

player Madjer Lukoki at a young age due to the

First Congo War The First Congo War, also known as Africa's First World War, was a Civil war, civil and international military conflict that lasted from 24 October 1996 to 16 May 1997, primarily taking place in Zaire (which was renamed the Democratic Republi ...

. Growing up in

Amsterdam Amsterdam ( , ; ; ) is the capital of the Netherlands, capital and Municipalities of the Netherlands, largest city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It has a population of 933,680 in June 2024 within the city proper, 1,457,018 in the City Re ...

, he joined the local club

VVA/Spartaan VVA/Spartaan is a Dutch amateur football club from the Amsterdam borough of Amsterdam-West in the neighborhood Bos en Lommer, founded in 1901. The club hold both a Saturday and a Sunday team, with both competing in the Derde Klasse. History The ...

at the age of ten.

Ajax

After playing for VVA/Spartaan and Young Boys Haarlem, Lukoki joined the youth ranks of

. He made his debut for the first team in the 2–0 home win against rivals

on 19 January 2011, replacing

Lorenzo Ebecilio Lorenzo Ebecilio (born 24 September 1991) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Dutch Derde Klasse team Always Forward Hoorn. An Ajax academy product, he debuted for Ajax in the 2010–11 Eredivisie. During the first ...

in the 80th minute. He immediately got the home fans on his side by giving

Tim de Cler Tim de Cler (born 8 November 1978) is a Dutch former professional association football, footballer who played as a left-back for AFC Ajax, Ajax, AZ Alkmaar, AZ, Feyenoord and AEK Larnaca FC, AEK Larnaca. Early life De Cler is born and raised in ...

nutmeg Nutmeg is the seed, or the ground spice derived from the seed, of several tree species of the genus '' Myristica''; fragrant nutmeg or true nutmeg ('' M. fragrans'') is a dark-leaved evergreen tree cultivated for two spices derived from its fru ...

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 Alles Door Oefening Den Haag (), commonly known by the abbreviated name ADO Den Haag (), is a Dutch association football club from the city of The Hague. They play in the Eerste Divisie, the second tier of Dutch football, following relegation ...

on 20 March 2011. The 2011–12 season started with Lukoki scoring his first career

Eredivisie The Eredivisie (; "Honour Division" or "Premier Division") is a professional association football league in the Netherlands and the highest level of the Dutch football league system. The league was founded in 1956, two years after the start o ...

goal in his season debut against

Roda JC Sportvereniging Roda Juliana Combinatie Kerkrade (; ), shortly as Roda JC Kerkrade () or commonly Roda JC or simply Roda, is a Dutch professional football club based in Kerkrade, Netherlands. Roda JC Kerkrade plays in the Eerste Divisie. The c ...

SC Cambuur (loan)

Having contributed to three national titles in his first three seasons with

, Lukoki would remain third-choice winger under

Frank de Boer Franciscus de Boer (; born 15 May 1970) is a Dutch former professional footballer and current manager. A former defender, De Boer spent most of his playing career with Ajax, winning five Eredivisie titles, two KNVB Cups, three Super Cups, o ...

and was granted permission to explore other options. On 2 August 2013, he was loaned out to newly promoted

SC Cambuur SC Cambuur, also known as Cambuur Leeuwarden, or simply Cambuur, () is a Dutch professional Association football, football club from the city of Leeuwarden formed on 19 June 1964. They currently play in the Eerste Divisie, the second tier of Dutc ...

for the season.

PEC Zwolle

On 7 August 2014, it was announced that Lukoki would transfer to

on a three-year contract for a reported €1.5 million, joining the team that had recently defeated Ajax in the

KNVB Cup The KNVB Beker (; ), branded as the TOTO KNVB Beker for sponsorship reasons, is a competition in the Netherlands organised by the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) since 1898. It was based on the format of the English FA Cup. Outside the N ...

final as well as the

Johan Cruijff Shield The Johan Cruyff Shield (, ) is a football trophy in the Netherlands named after Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff, also often referred to as the Dutch Super Cup. The winner is decided in one match only, played by the winner of the national football ...

. On 21 August 2014, Lukoki scored PEC Zwolle's first-ever goal in a continental competition, when they faced

Sparta Prague Athletic Club Sparta Praha (), commonly known as Sparta Prague and Sparta Praha, is a professional football club based in Prague. It is the most successful club in the Czech Republic and one of the most successful in central Europe, winning t ...

in the

2014–15 UEFA Europa League The 2014–15 UEFA Europa League was the 44th season of Europe's secondary club association football, football tournament organised by UEFA, and the sixth season since it was renamed from the UEFA Cup to the UEFA Europa League. The 2015 UEFA Eur ...

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

. The Congolese scored three goals in the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round matches against

Mladost Podgorica OFK Titograd ( Montenegrin Cyrillic: ОФК Титоград) is a professional football club based in Podgorica, Montenegro. Founded in 1951, they play in the Third League of Montenegro. The team has one league trophy and two Montenegrin Cup tr ...

. He scored his first goal in the league on 26 November 2016 in match against

Botev Plovdiv Profesionalen Futbolen Klub Botev AD, commonly referred to as Botev Plovdiv (, ), or simply Botev (within its associated city), is a Bulgarian professional Association football, football club based in Plovdiv. It competes in the First Professiona ...

. During his time at Ludogorets Razgrad he was nicknamed "Синът на вятъра" (English: "The Son of the Wind"). On 28 September 2017, Lukoki netted the winning goal in the 2–1 victory over

1899 Hoffenheim Turn- und Sportgemeinschaft 1899 Hoffenheim e.V. (), commonly known as TSG Hoffenheim (), are a German professional football club based in Sinsheim. Originally founded in 1899 as a gymnastics club, Hoffenheim came into being in their modern for ...

in a

UEFA Europa League The UEFA Europa League (UEL), usually known simply as the Europa League, is an annual association football, football club competition organised since 1971 by the UEFA, Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) for eligible European footb ...

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.

Later career

In July 2020, Lukoki signed a two-year contract with Turkish club

. 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. Lukoki returned to the Netherlands, joining Eredivisie club

on a two-year contract in June 2021. A few days after signing, he suffered a serious knee injury during practice, which sidelined him for a season. Twente released Lukoki on 17 February 2022, shortly after he was convicted of domestic violence.

International career

Lukoki held dual citizenship and was eligible to represent either

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

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 Toulon (, , ; , , ) is a city in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. Located on the French Riviera and the historical Provence, it is the prefecture of the Var (department), Var department. The Commune of Toulon h ...

, France. On 19 March 2015, Lukoki received his first call for the

team for the match against Iraq and earned his first cap in that game.

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.

Death

On 9 May 2022, Lukoki died at the age of 29 of a

at a hospital in

, after being beaten by his family in an argument.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

Ajax *

2010–11 1 (one, unit, unity) is a number, numeral, and glyph. It is the first and smallest positive integer of the infinite sequence of natural numbers. This fundamental property has led to its unique uses in other fields, ranging from science to sp ...

, 2011–12,

2012–13 1 (one, unit, unity) is a number, numeral, and glyph. It is the first and smallest positive integer of the infinite sequence of natural numbers. This fundamental property has led to its unique uses in other fields, ranging from science to sp ...

Ludogorets Razgrad *

Bulgarian First League The First Professional Football League (), commonly known as Parva Liga or Bulgarian First League (currently known as the efbet League for sponsorship reasons), is a professional association football league in Bulgaria and the highest level of t ...

: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19 *

Bulgarian Supercup The Bulgarian Supercup () is the trophy won in a football match held between the football club that has won the Bulgarian first football division in the season that ended in the year of the match and the holder of the Bulgarian Cup at that time. ...

2018 Events January * January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, after the Estonian presidency. * January 4 – SPLM-IO rebels loyal to Chan Garang Lual start a raid against Juba, capital of ...

2019 This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year. Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...

References

External links

Voetbal International profile
*
Netherlands stats
at OnsOranje * {{DEFAULTSORT:Lukoki, Jody 1992 births 2022 deaths Dutch twins Men's association football wingers Democratic Republic of the Congo men's footballers Democratic Republic of the Congo expatriate men's footballers Democratic Republic of the Congo men's international footballers Democratic Republic of the Congo emigrants to the Netherlands Dutch men's footballers Netherlands men's under-21 international footballers Netherlands men's youth international footballers Footballers from Amsterdam AFC Ajax players SC Cambuur players PEC Zwolle players PFC Ludogorets Razgrad players Yeni Malatyaspor footballers FC Twente players Eredivisie players First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) players Second Professional Football League (Bulgaria) players Süper Lig players Democratic Republic of the Congo expatriate sportspeople in Bulgaria Democratic Republic of the Congo expatriate sportspeople in Turkey Expatriate men's footballers in Bulgaria Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey 21st-century Dutch sportsmen 21st-century Democratic Republic of the Congo sportsmen