Lomana LuaLua facts for kids
LuaLua playing for Kardemir Karabükspor in 2013
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 28 December 1980 | ||
| Place of birth | Kinshasa, Zaire | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||
| Playing position | Striker, winger | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1998–2000 | Colchester United | 61 | (15) |
| 2000–2004 | Newcastle United | 59 | (5) |
| 2004 | → Portsmouth (loan) | 15 | (4) |
| 2004–2007 | Portsmouth | 72 | (15) |
| 2007–2008 | Olympiacos | 21 | (5) |
| 2008–2009 | Al-Arabi | 11 | (2) |
| 2009–2010 | Olympiacos | 12 | (3) |
| 2010–2011 | Omonia | 19 | (4) |
| 2011–2012 | Blackpool | 29 | (4) |
| 2012–2014 | Karabükspor | 42 | (13) |
| 2014–2015 | Çaykur Rizespor | 19 | (4) |
| 2015–2016 | Akhisar Belediyespor | 24 | (1) |
| 2016 | Şanlıurfaspor | 16 | (2) |
| 2017–2018 | Merit Alsancak Yeşilova | 23 | (9) |
| 2018–2019 | Doğan Türk Birliği | 8 | (5) |
| 2019 | Gìrne Halk Evì | 7 | (4) |
| 2019–2020 | Peterborough Sports | 1 | (0) |
| Total | 439 | (95) | |
| National team | |||
| 2002–2013 | DR Congo | 31 | (7) |
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Trésor Lomana LuaLua (born 28 December 1980) is a professional footballer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He played as a striker and is now an attacking coach for Spalding United.
LuaLua was born in Kinshasa but moved to England when he was young. He impressed scouts during a college football match and soon joined Colchester United. After scoring 21 goals in 68 games, he moved to Newcastle United. He later played for Portsmouth, first on loan and then permanently.
After leaving Portsmouth, LuaLua played for many teams in Greece, Qatar, Cyprus, and Turkey. He also had a short return to English football with Blackpool. LuaLua played for his country, the DR Congo, 31 times and scored seven goals. He also played in four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
LuaLua is also known for starting the LuaLua Foundation. This foundation helps orphans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His brother, Kazenga LuaLua, and cousins, Trésor Kandol and Yannick Bolasie, are also footballers.
Contents
Early Life and Football Start
LuaLua was born in Kinshasa, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo), in 1980. His family moved to England in 1989 and settled in Forest Gate in London. He started playing football at age 16. Before that, he was involved in gymnastics. This helped him create his famous goal celebration: seven backflips and a backward somersault!
He played football for his school after someone saw him kicking a tennis ball. At 17, while playing for Leyton Sixth Form College, a scout from Colchester United noticed him. The scout, Geoff Harrop, was very impressed. LuaLua was then invited for a trial and signed with the club.
His brother, Kazenga LuaLua, is also a professional footballer. His cousins, Yannick Bolasie and Trésor Kandol, also play professionally.
Club Career Highlights
Starting at Colchester United
LuaLua joined Colchester United in September 1998. He scored a goal just four minutes into his first game as a substitute. In his two seasons there, he played 68 games and scored 21 goals.
His great performances caught the eye of bigger clubs. In September 2000, LuaLua joined Newcastle United for £2.25 million. This was a big help for Colchester United, as the money could be used for a new stadium.
Time at Newcastle United
Newcastle United manager, Bobby Robson, saw LuaLua as a special talent. He believed LuaLua needed to learn how to play with other players but had a lot of potential. LuaLua signed a five-year contract with Newcastle.
He played his first game for Newcastle in September 2000. He scored his first Premier League goal in April 2002, which was a winning goal in a game against Derby County. He scored two more goals that season. LuaLua played 88 games for Newcastle, scoring nine goals.
Moving to Portsmouth
In February 2004, LuaLua joined Portsmouth on a three-month loan. He scored in his first game for Portsmouth. During this loan, he even scored against his parent club, Newcastle, which helped Portsmouth avoid relegation. This led to a new rule in football: players on loan cannot play against their original club.
LuaLua scored four goals in 15 games during his loan. Portsmouth's manager, Harry Redknapp, was so impressed that he signed LuaLua permanently for £1.75 million. He stayed at Portsmouth for three seasons, scoring 19 goals in 72 games. He faced some challenges, including getting malaria after a trip to Africa.
Playing in Greece and Qatar
In August 2007, LuaLua moved to the Greek club Olympiacos. He signed a three-year contract for about £2.8 million. He made his league debut in September and scored his first two goals later that month. He helped Olympiacos win their fourth Super League Greece title in April 2008. In total, he played 30 games and scored six goals for Olympiacos.
After that, LuaLua joined Qatari club Al-Arabi in July 2008. He helped them win the Sheikh Jassim Cup in October, scoring one goal in the final. He later returned to Olympiacos in December 2009.
Cyprus, England, and Turkey
In July 2010, LuaLua signed a two-year contract with Omonia in Cyprus. He scored on his league debut in September. In May 2011, he won the Cypriot Cup with Omonia.
After leaving Omonia, LuaLua returned to England and signed with Blackpool in September 2011. He played 29 games for them, scoring four goals.
In May 2012, LuaLua moved to Turkey, signing a two-year deal with Kardemir Karabükspor. He was considered one of the best players in the Turkish league during his time there. He later played for Çaykur Rizespor and Akhisar Belediyespor in Turkey.
Northern Cyprus and Final Club
In May 2017, LuaLua signed with Merit Alsancak Yeşilova in Northern Cyprus. He scored nine goals in 23 games during the 2017–18 season. He also played for Doğan Türk Birliği and Gìrne Halk Evì in Northern Cyprus.
In November 2019, LuaLua joined Peterborough Sports in England. He made his debut for the club in January 2020.
International Career for DR Congo
Early Africa Cup of Nations Appearances
LuaLua first played for the DR Congo national team in January 2002 at the 2002 African Cup of Nations in Mali. He played in several matches, including a quarter-final game.
He also played in the qualifying games for the 2004 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia. He scored a goal in a 2–0 win against Botswana in October 2002. LuaLua was named captain for the 2004 tournament. He played in the first match but was sent off in the next game. DR Congo was then out of the tournament.
2006 Africa Cup of Nations
LuaLua was called up for the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. He was named captain for the tournament. He helped DR Congo win their first match against Togo, assisting one goal and scoring another. DR Congo reached the quarter-finals but lost to the host team, Egypt.
Later International Games
In April 2007, LuaLua scored in a 2–0 victory against Ethiopia in a qualifier for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. He returned to the DR Congo squad for a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Egypt in June 2008.
In December 2012, LuaLua was chosen for his fourth Africa Cup of Nations tournament, held in South Africa in 2013. He started all three matches for his team.
Personal Life and Charity Work
In 2005, LuaLua became a supporter of the Haslar Visitors Group, a charity that helps people in immigration centers. The next year, he started the LuaLua Foundation. This foundation built a hostel, sports center, and education complex in Kinshasa. It provides care and education for orphaned children in the DR Congo.
LuaLua also actively supports the Show Racism the Red Card campaign. This campaign works to fight racism. He is a born-again Christian. His former teammate, Linvoy Primus, shared that they would pray together before games.
Honours
Olympiacos
- Super League Greece: 2007–08
- Greek Super Cup: 2007
Al-Arabi
- Sheikh Jassim Cup: 2008
Omonia
- Cypriot Cup: 2010–11
Images for kids
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LuaLua playing for Olympiacos in a match against PAOK.
See also
In Spanish: Lomana LuaLua para niños
