12.08.2026 13:21
The transfer of Belgian world star Romelu Lukaku, whom Fenerbahçe has been counting down the hours to add to their squad from Napoli, has brought the striker's Ankara story, which goes back to his childhood years, back to the agenda. Growing up in the club facilities during the period when his father Roger Lukaku wore the Gençlerbirliği jersey in the 1990s and known in the community as the 'Ankara Baby,' Lukaku is returning to Turkey about 30 years later, this time as the transfer bombshell of the Süper Lig.
Having bolstered its attacking line with a world-experienced goalscorer, Fenerbahce has reached a successful conclusion in the transfer of 33-year-old Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, who plays for Italian representative Napoli.
It was learned that the yellow-navy management shook hands with the Italian club for a transfer fee of 6 million Euros plus performance-based bonuses.
The experienced goalscorer, who also reached an agreement with the club on personal terms, will officially don the yellow-navy jersey after medical checks.
"ANGARA BABY" LUKAKU
With the transfer being finalized, the nostalgic bond between the Lukaku family and Turkey has also come to the fore again. Romelu Lukaku's father, former Congolese international footballer Roger Lukaku, played in Turkey with Super League team Genclerbirligi during the 1996-1997 season.
Roger Lukaku, who played in nearly 30 matches with the red-black jersey during that period, was accompanied most closely in training by his then child-aged son, Romelu.
Little Romelu, who spent time with his father at the Genclerbirligi facilities and won the affection of club staff and players with his charming demeanor, was referred to as the "Angara Baby" in the capital's community during those years.
BACK IN TURKEY AFTER 30 YEARS
About 30 years after his father's football journey in Ankara, Romelu Lukaku is now stepping into Turkey as one of the world's most important strikers.
Romelu Lukaku, who has displayed the football genes inherited from his father Roger Lukaku, who passed away in September 2025, at world giants; is preparing to open a new page in his career under the Fenerbahce umbrella after Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter, Roma, and Napoli.