Jody Lukoki, a former Ajax winger, died unexpectedly at the age of 29.
Lukoki progressed through the Ajax youth system before making his senior team debut in January 2011. He won the Eredivisie in each of his three seasons with the Dutch giants.
He struggled to establish himself as a regular in Amsterdam, and after a loan transfer to Cambuur, he joined PEC Zwolle permanently in 2014.
After a year with Yeni Malatyaspor, he transferred to Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad, where he won another three league titles.
Jan Streur, technical director of FC Twente, said: “It’s extraordinary. At such a tender age It’s heartbreaking. This is horrible. We send our condolences to his loved ones.”
PEC Zwolle offered their respects as well: “Jody Lukoki, a former player for PEC Zwolle, died far too young. Lukoki will go down in history as PEC Zwolle’s first European goal scorer.
“PEC Zwolle sends its condolences to Jody Lukoki’s family during this difficult time.”
Lukoki played age-group football for the Netherlands but elected to play full international football for DR Congo, his home country.
He received three caps and one goal in total.
Lukoki was released by Twente in February of this year after suffering a significant knee injury at the start of the season.
He has been rehabilitating in recent months. The death has yet to be determined.
Lukoki, who was once considered one of the most exciting Dutch players of his generation, was given his full Ajax debut by Frank de Boer and instantly became famous after nutmegging Feyenoord defender Tim de Cler after the ball had already gone out of play.
Jody Lukoki Cause Of Death
Jody Lukoki’s cause of death has not been released. The family of Jody Lukoki are yet to make it public.
