Romelu Lukaku joins Fenerbahce after leaving Napoli

Fenerbahce have signed Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku from Napoli during the current summer transfer window, with the Turkish club confirming the move on Wednesday.

The transfer was completed after an agreement was reached between Fenerbahce and the Italian club. The Turkish side have not disclosed the fee, although Turkish website HT Spor previously reported that Fenerbahce were seeking to complete the deal for less than $10m.

Lukaku said returning to Turkey carried particular personal significance because he spent part of his childhood there and was introduced to professional football by his father.

“It is a great honour for me to join your club and be part of such a wonderful club with such a great history,” Lukaku told Fenerbahce’s official website. “We have a great team and I am very happy to be part of this strong team.”

The 33-year-old added that he was determined to work hard from the beginning of his time at the club.

“I will do my best every day and give my all in training and on the pitch to help the team in the best possible way,” he said.

“I want to use every moment I spend on the pitch to help the team achieve victory.”

Lukaku also thanked Fenerbahce’s board and manager for their confidence in him, both personally and as a footballer.

“I would like to thank the board and our manager, firstly for the trust and belief they have placed in me as a person, and secondly for their belief in my abilities as a footballer,” he said. “I am 100% ready. I am ready to get on the pitch.”

The striker described the move as an emotional return to a country where his relationship with the game began.

“This is also an emotional moment for me because I am returning to Turkey after many years,” Lukaku said. “As you know, I lived here in my childhood and discovered the world of professional football with my father. So my return will be a very special and emotional moment for me. I am very proud that this return will be with Fenerbahce.”

Lukaku joins Fenerbahce after helping Napoli win the Italian league title in the 2024-25 season. His role became considerably smaller during the following campaign because of injuries, and he made only five league appearances last season.

He was no longer a regular member of Napoli’s starting line-up, particularly with Rasmus Højlund among the club’s attacking options.

Fenerbahce have therefore added an experienced international forward whose return to Turkey has both sporting and personal importance. Lukaku’s immediate focus, however, will be on preparing to contribute on the pitch for his new club after a difficult final season in Italy.