Stars in Europe - Belgium - Key-Player - Transfer - Romelu Lukaku moves to Fenerbahce
Romelu Lukaku is on the move again. The Belgian striker has completed a switch to Süper Lig giants Fenerbahçe, signing a one-year deal after parting ways with Napoli.
The 33-year-old departs Naples following two seasons that included a Serie A title in 2024-25, where he was the club's top scorer during their title-winning campaign.
A pre-season thigh injury had sidelined him for months heading into the 2025-26 season, but Lukaku heads to Turkey looking for a fresh chapter and the number 9 shirt at his new club.
A career built on goals
Few strikers of his generation carry a résumé like Lukaku's. After coming through the Anderlecht academy, he won a Belgian Pro League title there in 2009-10 as league top scorer, before Chelsea snapped him up in 2011.
Loan spells at West Bromwich Albion and then Everton followed, with Everton later making the move permanent in 2014.
A stint that saw him become the club's Premier League-era record goalscorer and earn a PFA Team of the Year nod in 2016-17.
A big-money move to Manchester United came in 2017, when he reached his 100th Premier League goal, before Inter Milan came calling in 2019.
Italy proved to be his most decorated stretch. A Europa League final and Player of the Season award, followed by a Serie A title, MVP, and Footballer of the Year honours in 2020-21.
A return to Chelsea in 2021 was briefly the most expensive transfer in football history.
It didn't work out on the pitch, leading to further loans back at Inter and then Roma, where he picked up a Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana along the way.
Napoli made the move permanent in 2024, and Lukaku repaid them with a title-winning goal contribution in 2024-25.
International Royalty
For Belgium, Lukaku sits at the very top of the pile with 93 international goals, the country's record scorer, and second among all European men's international goalscorers ever.
He helped the Red Devils to third place at the 2018 World Cup, their best finish in history, and picked up the Bronze Boot for his efforts.
Plus a Euro 2020 Team of the Tournament selection and appearances at seven major tournaments, and it's clear why he remains the heartbeat of Belgian football.
Summer 2026
The move comes fresh off Lukaku's World Cup campaign with Belgium, where he was again the Red Devils' talisman up front as they pushed into the knockout rounds. Now it's club football — and a new challenge in Istanbul.
What's next?
Fenerbahçe fans get a proven, prolific number 9 with a track record of delivering in big moments. Whether this is a late-career victory lap or the start of something bigger, one thing's certain: wherever Lukaku goes, goals tend to follow.
Career and honors
The Congo-born forward began his career at Belgian club Anderlecht before playing for Chelsea, West Bromwich Albion, Everton, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Roma, and Napoli.
He has made 681 appearances across his career, scoring 316 goals.
His individual honors include two Italian league titles, two Belgian league titles, a FIFA Club World Cup, a Coppa Italia, an FA Cup, and two Italian Super Cups. Transfer fees paid for Lukaku over his career total €370 million.
For the Belgian national team, Lukaku has earned 132 caps and scored 93 goals.
Belgium
Turkey