DR Congo International Jody Lukoki, a former Ajax winger, died at the age of 29, according to reports.
Lukoki came through the Ajax youth system and made his senior team debut in January 2011. He played with the Dutch giants for three seasons, winning the Eredivisie each time.
He struggled to establish himself as a regular in Amsterdam, and after a loan move to Cambuur, he signed a permanent deal with PEC Zwolle in 2014. A year later, he went to Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad, where he won another three league titles, before a time with Yeni Malatyaspor.
He was most recently with FC Twente and the club’s technical director Jan Streur said: “It is unbelievable. At this young age. So sad. This is really terrible. We sympathise with his family and friends.”
PEC Zwolle have also paid tribute: “PEC Zwolle has learned with dismay and sadness of the far too early death of former player Jody Lukoki. Lukoki will forever be remembered as PEC Zwolle’s first goalscorer in an official European game.
“PEC Zwolle wishes the relatives of Jody Lukoki a lot of strength to bear this enormous loss.”
The forward played age group football for the Netherlands, but elected to play full international football for the Democratic Republic of Congo, his home country. He appeared in three games and scored one goal.
He was released by Twente in February after suffering a significant knee injury at the start of the season. He has been rehabilitating in recent months.
Lukoki, who was once considered one of the most exciting Dutch players of his time, was handed his full Ajax debut by Frank de Boer and soon went viral after nutmegging Feyenoord defender Tim de Cler after the ball had already gone out of play.
The Ajax boss, on the other hand, was not pleased with the situation and demanded that he apologize to his opponent.
