My Football Facts ⇒ Articles
Written by Martin Graham | May 11 2022
In unfortunate news, Jodi Lukoki, a former player for FC Twente, Ajax Amsterdam and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has passed away as a result of unknown circumstances.
Lukoki was recently fired from Twente and has been working towards match fitness to secure a move to a new club in the summer as a free agent.
Eredivisie FC had to let the winger go due to prolonged injury issues which led to personal issues off the field which he was difficult to deal with while involved in professional football.
News of his death broke out, Monday, and his former clubs moved through social media to express their grief and offer condolences to his family.
“The club is shocked and deeply affected by this tragic event,” a statement on FC Twente’s website read. “Twente sympathizes with his loved ones and wishes them much strength in dealing with this great loss.”
Turkish Super Lig team, Yeni Malatyaspor, where Lukoki played in the 2020/21 season before returning to Holland to play for Twente, posted a comment on the knowledge of his death: “We have learned with sadness that Jodi Lukoki, who sweated on our club shirt in the 2020-21 Premier League season, Passed away.
“Our condolences to his family and community.”
He also paid tribute to PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie, where Lukoki played between 2014 and 2015: “PEC Zwolle learned with alarm and grief the death of former player Jodi Lukoki so early. Lukoki will be remembered forever as PEC Zwolle’s first scorer in an official European match.
“PEC Zwolle wishes Jody Lukoki’s relatives much strength to bear this heavy loss.”
Ajax, where he won three Eredivisie titles as a player between 2010 and 2014, has also used various social media to sympathize and respect his family.
Lukoki was born in Zaire (present-day Congo) but immigrated to the Netherlands with his family after the First Congo War. He joined Ajax Academy in 2003 and in 2011 he made his debut with the club.
He also represented the Netherlands at age level but ultimately chose to play for his country, which he represented three times between 2015 and 2019.
He was nicknamed “Son of the Wind” and was survived by family and siblings.
