Romelu Lukaku joins Fenerbahçe and returns to Türkiye after three decades
Romelu Lukaku will continue his career at Fenerbahçe. The 33-year-old Belgian striker has completed a permanent move from SSC Napoli to the Istanbul club following a season in which injury problems severely limited his playing time.
The Italian club confirmed his departure in a brief statement published on its official website.
“SSC Napoli announces the permanent transfer of the sporting rights of footballer Romelu Lukaku Bolingoli to Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü.”
Fenerbahçe announced that the Belgium international had signed a one-year contract with an option for a further 12 months. Neither club disclosed the transfer fee, although international media reports suggest that Napoli will receive approximately €6 million, potentially rising through performance-related bonuses. Napoli confirmed that it was a permanent transfer, while Fenerbahçe revealed the one-year agreement and extension option.
An emotional return to Türkiye for Lukaku
The move to Fenerbahçe represents more than simply another stage in Romelu Lukaku’s football career. The striker is returning to the country where he briefly lived as a child while his father, Roger Lukaku, was playing for Gençlerbirliği.
The Belgian spoke about this connection in a message addressed to the supporters of his new club.
“It is a great honour and privilege for me to join your club and be a part of such a magnificent club with such a glorious history.”
Lukaku told the fans that he was ready to begin training immediately and determined to help the Istanbul side achieve its objectives.
“I will work hard every day, doing my best in training and on the pitch, trying to help the team in the best way possible. I’m 100% ready, I’m ready to go out onto the field.”
Fenerbahçe’s latest signing admitted that his return to Türkiye had brought back special memories.
“This is a somewhat emotional moment for me as well, because I’m returning to Türkiye after many years. As you know, I lived here as a young child, and this is where I discovered the world of professional football with my father.”
Two very different seasons at Napoli
Romelu Lukaku joined Napoli in the summer of 2024 following his departure from Chelsea. His reunion with Antonio Conte produced the desired effect, with the striker becoming an important member of the team that won the Serie A title in the 2024-25 season.
The Belgian scored 14 league goals and played a significant role in Napoli’s Serie A title triumph. Lukaku had previously worked with Conte at Inter Milan, where he experienced the most prolific period of his career.
His second season at Napoli was disrupted by injuries. A serious problem with his left thigh, sustained during pre-season, kept him out of action for an extended period. The striker made only seven club appearances over the course of the campaign.
His relationship with the Italian club also deteriorated following an incident in the spring, when Lukaku remained in Belgium to undergo a rehabilitation programme without Napoli’s approval. Sporting director Giovanni Manna warned at the time that the player could face disciplinary action.
The permanent signing of Rasmus Højlund from Manchester United for approximately €44 million ultimately changed the attacking hierarchy within the squad. The Danish forward became Napoli’s first-choice striker, and both parties agreed that Lukaku’s departure was the best solution.
Lukaku returned to form in time for the World Cup
Despite playing very little club football during the previous season, Romelu Lukaku managed to regain his fitness in time for the 2026 World Cup.
The striker appeared in all six of Belgium’s matches at the tournament and scored three goals. The Belgian national team reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Spain.
His performances on the international stage demonstrated that Lukaku remains capable of competing at a high level. He is still Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 93 goals in 132 appearances.
Fenerbahçe are building a team capable of winning the title
The arrival of Romelu Lukaku forms part of an ambitious summer recruitment campaign by Fenerbahçe. The Istanbul side have also signed Mason Greenwood from Olympique Marseille, with the former Manchester United forward becoming one of the leading names in the club’s new project.
The squad has been further strengthened by the arrivals of defender Nathan Aké from Manchester City and striker Vedat Muriqi from Real Mallorca. The Kosovo international has returned to Fenerbahçe after scoring 23 goals in La Liga last season.
With these signings, the club are attempting to end Galatasaray’s domestic dominance. Fenerbahçe have finished as runners-up in each of the past four league seasons and have not won the Turkish title since 2014.
Champions League qualification represents another major objective. The Istanbul club advanced past Sturm Graz and will face Olympique Lyon in the play-off round. Fenerbahçe are aiming to return to the main stage of Europe’s leading club competition for the first time since the 2008-09 season.
Lukaku brings experience and more than 300 career goals
Fenerbahçe have signed a striker with an impressive career in European football. Lukaku began his senior journey at Anderlecht before representing Chelsea, West Bromwich Albion, Everton, Manchester United, Inter Milan, AS Roma and SSC Napoli.
The finest spell of his club career came at Inter under Antonio Conte. The Belgian scored 34 goals in the 2019-20 season and another 30 during the following campaign. He reached the Europa League final and played a decisive role in Inter’s 2021 Serie A title triumph.
Chelsea subsequently brought him back to London for approximately £97.5 million. His second spell at Stamford Bridge failed to meet expectations, leading to season-long loan moves to Inter and AS Roma before his permanent transfer to Napoli.
Lukaku has scored 316 goals in 681 senior club appearances. His collection of honours includes league titles in Belgium and Italy, the Italian Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
At Fenerbahçe, the striker will attempt to prove that the injury problems that overshadowed his previous season are now behind him. His experience, physical strength and finishing ability could make him a vital player for a team simultaneously targeting the Turkish league title and a place in the Champions League.
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