Lomana LuaLua facts for kids
LuaLua playing for Kardemir Karabükspor in 2013
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Trésor Lomana LuaLua | ||
| Date of birth | 28 December 1980 | ||
| Place of birth | Kinshasa, Zaire | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||
| Position(s) | 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) | |
| International career | |||
| 2002–2013 | DR Congo | 31 | (7) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Trésor Lomana LuaLua (born December 28, 1980) is a former professional footballer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He played as a striker. Currently, he works as an attacking coach for Spalding United.
LuaLua was born in Kinshasa, but he moved to England when he was young. He impressed scouts during a college football match. This led him to sign with Colchester United. He scored 21 goals in 68 games there. This caught the eye of Newcastle United, who then signed him.
At Newcastle, he faced tough competition for a spot on the team. After four seasons and 88 games, he moved to Portsmouth. He had already played for Portsmouth on a short loan from Newcastle. He stayed at Portsmouth for three seasons. After leaving Portsmouth, he played for many teams. These included clubs in Greece, Qatar, Cyprus, and Turkey. He also had a brief return to English football with Blackpool.
LuaLua first played for his country, the DR Congo, in 2002. He earned 31 international appearances and scored seven goals over an eleven-year career. He represented his national team 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. He also supports the Haslar Visitors Group. His brother Kazenga and cousins Trésor Kandol and Yannick Bolasie also became professional footballers.
Contents
Early Life and Football Start
LuaLua was born Trésor Lua Lua Lomana in Kinshasa, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo). This was in 1980. He moved to England in 1989 as a young boy. His family settled in Forest Gate in London. There, he went to Forest Gate Community School. He started playing football at age 16. He was also involved in gymnastics.
His gymnastics skills helped him create his famous goal celebration. This celebration involved seven back flips and a backward somersault. LuaLua played for his school's football team. He was spotted while kicking a tennis ball in the playground. He was playing for Leyton Sixth Form College when a scout from Colchester United saw him. He was 17 at the time. The scout, Geoff Harrop, was very impressed. He said LuaLua was "taking on the whole team." Harrop invited him for a trial, and LuaLua signed with the club.
His brother, Kazenga LuaLua, is also a professional footballer. Two of his cousins, Yannick Bolasie and Trésor Kandol, also play professionally.
Club Career Highlights
Playing for Colchester United
LuaLua joined Colchester United in September 1998. At first, he found it hard to adjust to professional football. He scored within four minutes of his first game. He came on as a substitute in a 3–1 loss to Chesterfield. In two seasons, he played 68 league and cup games for Colchester. He scored a total of 21 goals.
His strong performances caught the attention of several Premiership clubs. Even though his manager said he was not for sale, LuaLua joined Newcastle United. This happened in September 2000 for £2.25 million. Colchester felt they could not refuse the offer.
Time at Newcastle United
Newcastle's manager, Bobby Robson, was told about LuaLua by his assistant. Robson watched LuaLua play before deciding to sign him. He said LuaLua was a "special talent" who needed to be taught. LuaLua signed a five-year contract with Newcastle. He played his first game for the team in September 2000. This was a 1–0 home loss to Charlton Athletic. He played 23 games in his first season but did not score.
He scored twice in the Intertoto Cup at the start of the 2001–02 season. His first Premiership goal came in April 2002. It was a last-minute winner in a 3–2 away victory against Derby County. He scored two more goals in the last four games of that season. LuaLua continued scoring at the start of the 2002–03 season. He scored three goals in his first four games. However, it was hard to get a regular spot on the team. He only played 22 games that season.
In January 2003, LuaLua said he wanted more chances to play. He felt he deserved to show what he could do regularly. He spent much of the 2003–04 season on the bench. In November 2003, he complained about not playing enough. He said he would think about leaving Newcastle. In total, he played 88 games for Newcastle, scoring nine goals. Most of these appearances were as a substitute.
Moving to Portsmouth
In February 2004, LuaLua joined Portsmouth on a three-month loan. This was after he returned from the 2004 African Cup of Nations. He scored in his first game for Portsmouth. This was a 4–3 away loss to Tottenham Hotspur. During this loan, he scored against his parent club, Newcastle. This helped Portsmouth avoid the bottom three in the Premiership. This event led to a new rule in football. Players on loan could no longer play against their original club. He scored four goals in 15 games for Portsmouth.
Manager Harry Redknapp was very impressed. When his loan ended, Portsmouth signed LuaLua permanently. This cost £1.75 million.
LuaLua played 26 league and cup games in the 2004–05 season. He scored six goals, including two against local rivals Southampton. He faced some challenges with injuries during this season. He also had some issues with his behavior on the field.
He played 26 games in the 2005–06 season, scoring seven goals. He missed some games after getting sick during a trip to Africa. He also missed games due to international duties. His behavior issues continued, and he was warned by the Football Association. He signed a new three-year contract in July 2006.
An ankle injury made LuaLua miss the start of the 2006–07 season. He found it hard to get back into the main team. He only started 8 out of 24 games and scored two goals. Redknapp told him he needed to perform better. He joined Greek club Olympiacos in August 2007. Redknapp said LuaLua wanted a change and to play abroad. He would also get to play in the Champions League.
Playing in Greece and Qatar
On August 12, 2007, LuaLua signed a three-year contract with Olympiacos. The fee was about £2.8 million. He played his first league game on September 2. This was a 0–0 draw against Panathinaikos. His Champions League debut was on September 18. He scored his first two goals on September 23 in a 6–2 win.
On January 16, 2008, LuaLua scored a great goal from 30 yards in the Greek Cup. Olympiacos won 4–0. LuaLua missed many games due to ankle and shoulder injuries. He returned on April 20, 2008. He helped Olympiacos win their fourth Super League Greece title. He played 30 games for Olympiacos, scoring six goals.
After his injuries, LuaLua joined Qatari club Al-Arabi. He signed a one-year contract in July 2008. On October 30, Al-Arabi won the Sheikh Jassim Cup. LuaLua scored one goal in the final. He scored his first league goal for the club in February 2009.
In December 2009, LuaLua left Al-Arabi. He rejoined Olympiakos on a six-month contract. He scored his first goals in his second time with the club against Asteras Tripolis.
Cyprus and Return to England
LuaLua signed a two-year contract with Omonia in July 2010. He scored his first goal on his league debut on September 18, 2010. This was in a 4–0 win. On May 18, 2011, LuaLua won the Cypriot Cup with Omonia. They won after a penalty shootout.
In September 2011, after leaving Omonia, LuaLua trained with League One club Hartlepool United. He then received a contract offer from Blackpool, a team in a higher league.
Playing in Turkey and Northern Cyprus
On May 24, 2012, LuaLua turned down a new contract at Blackpool. He signed a two-year deal with Turkish team Kardemir Karabükspor. He was seen as one of the best players in the Turkish league's first half.
On February 2, 2015, LuaLua signed with Akhisar Belediyespor. He left the club in January 2016. He then signed with Şanlıurfaspor the next month, leaving in May 2016.
On May 12, 2017, LuaLua signed with Northern Cypriot club Merit Alsancak Yeşilova. He played his first friendly game in August. LuaLua finished the 2017–18 KTFF Süper Lig season with nine goals in 23 games. After leaving the club in 2018, LuaLua played for English non-league team Tilbury in July. For the 2018–19 season, LuaLua returned to Northern Cyprus. He played with Süper Lig teams Doğan Türk Birliği and Gìrne Halk Evì.
Peterborough Sports
On November 13, 2019, Southern League Premier Division Central team Peterborough Sports announced they had signed LuaLua. He played his first game for the club in January 2020. He came off the bench in a league match.
International Career for DR Congo
Africa Cup of Nations Appearances
LuaLua was first chosen for the DR Congo national team in January 2002. This was for the African Nations Cup finals in Mali. He played in several matches, including a quarter-final game. DR Congo lost that game amid some disagreement.
DR Congo's journey to qualify for the 2004 African Nations Cup in Tunisia began six months later. LuaLua played in a 2–0 win against Botswana in October 2002. He scored early but was later sent off. He was suspended for two games. His next game helped DR Congo qualify for the finals. LuaLua was named captain for the tournament. He played in the first match, a loss to Guinea. In the next game against hosts Tunisia, he was sent off. DR Congo lost and was out of the tournament. LuaLua later apologized to his country for being sent off.
Later International Games
LuaLua was suspended for four matches after being sent off. He missed several 2006 World Cup qualifying games. He was chosen for a World Cup qualifier against South Africa in September. However, he missed the game due to injury. He also missed games after getting sick during a trip to Africa.
LuaLua was called back to the DR Congo team for a friendly game in November 2005. This was to prepare for the 2006 African Nations Cup in Egypt. He was named captain for this tournament. He played in DR Congo's first match against Togo. He helped with one goal and scored another in a 2–0 win. He played against Angola and Cameroon. DR Congo reached the quarter-finals but lost to the hosts, Egypt.
In April 2007, LuaLua scored in a 2–0 victory against Ethiopia. This win extended DR Congo's lead in their group. He did not travel for the away game in June. DR Congo failed to qualify for the tournament in October. The sports minister then removed LuaLua as captain.
LuaLua returned to the DR Congo team for a 2010 World Cup qualifier in June 2008. He later had to have his appendix removed, missing more games. DR Congo was eliminated from the qualifiers.
In February 2012, the national manager confirmed LuaLua might return for a Cup of Nations qualifier. In December, LuaLua was named for his fourth Africa Cup of Nations. This was in South Africa in 2013. He started all three matches, which were all draws. The team exited from Group C.
Personal Life and Charity Work
In 2005, LuaLua became a supporter of the Haslar Visitors Group. This charity helps people in an immigration center. The next year, he started the LuaLua Foundation. This foundation built a hostel, sports, and education center in Kinshasa. It provides care and education for orphaned children in DR Congo.
He is also very active in the Show Racism the Red Card campaign. He helped launch a video where footballers talk about their experiences with racism. LuaLua is a born-again Christian. His former teammate, Linvoy Primus, said they would pray together before games.
LuaLua wrote the introduction for You Can Have Chips. This is the story of his former manager, Steve Wignall.
Career Statistics
Club Appearances and Goals
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Colchester United | 1998–99 | Division Two | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | ||
| 1999–2000 | Division Two | 41 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 0 | 45 | 14 | ||
| 2000–01 | Division Two | 7 | 2 | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | 9 | 5 | ||||
| Total | 61 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | — | 1 | 0 | 67 | 20 | |||
| Newcastle United | 2000–01 | Premier League | 21 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 23 | 0 | |||
| 2001–02 | Premier League | 20 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 2 | — | 32 | 5 | ||
| 2002–03 | Premier League | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | — | 22 | 4 | ||
| 2003–04 | Premier League | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 11 | 0 | ||
| Total | 59 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 4 | — | 88 | 9 | |||
| Portsmouth (loan) | 2003–04 | Premier League | 15 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 15 | 4 | ||||
| Portsmouth | 2004–05 | Premier League | 25 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 26 | 6 | ||
| 2005–06 | Premier League | 25 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 26 | 7 | |||
| 2006–07 | Premier League | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 2 | |||
| Total | 72 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 76 | 19 | ||||
| Olympiacos | 2007–08 | Super League Greece | 21 | 5 | 3 | 1 | — | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 6 | |
| Al-Arabi | 2008–09 | Qatar Stars League | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 4 | 15 | 6 | ||
| Olympiacos | 2009–10 | Super League Greece | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 19 | 3 | |
| Omonia | 2010–11 | Cypriot First Division | 19 | 4 | 6 | 2 | — | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 7 | |
| Blackpool | 2011–12 | Championship | 29 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 32 | 6 | |
| Karabükspor | 2012–13 | Süper Lig | 30 | 11 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 32 | 11 | |||
| 2013–14 | Süper Lig | 12 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 14 | 4 | ||||
| Total | 42 | 13 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | 46 | 15 | |||||
| Rizespor | 2013–14 | Süper Lig | 11 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 11 | 4 | ||||
| 2014–15 | Süper Lig | 8 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 11 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 19 | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 22 | 5 | |||||
| Akhisar Belediyespor | 2014–15 | Süper Lig | 14 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 14 | 1 | ||||
| 2015–16 | Süper Lig | 10 | 0 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | 14 | 2 | ||||
| Total | 24 | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | 28 | 3 | |||||
| Şanlıurfaspor | 2015–16 | TFF First League | 16 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 17 | 2 | |||
| Merit Alsancak Yeşilova | 2017–18 | KTFF Süper Lig | 23 | 9 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 26 | 12 | |||
| Doğan Türk Birliği | 2018–19 | KTFF Süper Lig | 8 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 5 | ||||
| Girne Halk Evi | 2018–19 | KTFF Süper Lig | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 9 | 4 | |||
| Peterborough Sports | 2019–20 | Southern League Premier Division Central | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 439 | 95 | 38 | 14 | 12 | 4 | 28 | 5 | 10 | 4 | 527 | 122 | ||
International Goals
- This table shows the goals Lomana LuaLua scored for the DR Congo national team.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 October 2002 | Stade des Martyrs, DR Congo |  Botswana |
1–0 | 2–0 | 2004 Africa Cup of Nations qualification | |
| 2 | 16 August 2005 | Stade Yves-du-Manoir, France |  Guinea |
2–1 | 3–1 | Friendly | |
| 3 | 21 January 2006 | Cairo Military Academy Stadium, Egypt |  Togo |
2–0 | 2–0 | 2006 Africa Cup of Nations | |
| 4 | 29 April 2007 | Stade des Martyrs, DR Congo |  Ethiopia |
2–0 | 2–0 | 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification | |
| 5 | 20 August 2008 | Stade du Vieux-Pré, Dreux, France | Togo |
2–1 | 2–1 | Friendly | |
| 6 | 11 October 2008 | Kamuzu Stadium, Malawi |  Malawi |
1–0 | 1–2 | 2010 World Cup qualification | |
| 7 | 27 March 2011 | Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo |  Mauritius |
1–0 | 3–0 | 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
Awards and Trophies
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
