Lukas Nmecha

Lukas Nmecha

Nmecha with Manchester City in 2017
Personal information
Full name	Lukas Okechukwu Nmecha [1]
Date of birth	(1998-12-14) 14 December 1998 (age 25) [2]
Place of birth	Hamburg, Germany
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) [3]
Position(s)	Forward, winger
Team information
Current team	VfL Wolfsburg
Number	10
Youth career
2007–2018	Manchester City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2021	Manchester City	2	(0)
2018–2019	→ Preston North End (loan)	41	(3)
2019–2020	→ VfL Wolfsburg (loan)	6	(0)
2020	→ Middlesbrough (loan)	11	(0)
2020–2021	→ Anderlecht (loan)	37	(18)
2021–	VfL Wolfsburg	47	(13)
International career‡
2013	England U16	2	(0)
2014–2015	England U17	10	(2)
2016	England U18	4	(2)
2016–2017	England U19	11	(3)
2018	England U20	1	(1)
2018	England U21	3	(0)
2019–2021	Germany U21	20	(12)
2021–	Germany	9	(1)
Medal record Representing   Germany UEFA European Under-21 Championship Winner 2021 Runner-up 2019
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:26, 30 November 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:39, 23 September 2022 (UTC)

Lukas Okechukwu Nmecha (born 14 December 1998) is a German professional footballer who plays as a forward for Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg and the Germany national team.

Nmecha was born in Hamburg, Germany but relocated to England as a child with his family. He represented his birth country for the first time with the Germany U21 national team, despite being capped by England at the same level.

Club career

Manchester City

During a football tournament at his primary school team in Wythenshawe, he was scouted by Manchester City, ^[4] where he played for their youth ranks for over a decade, before making his debut on 19 December 2017 in the EFL Cup. ^[5] On his debut he scored the third penalty for Manchester City in their penalty shootout win over Leicester City. ^[6]

He made his Premier League debut on 29 April 2018, as a late substitute for Gabriel Jesus against West Ham United at the London Stadium. ^[7]

He was involved in several games during Manchester City's first team squad for the 2018–19 pre season tour in the U.S. to compete in the 2018 International Champions Cup. ^[8] He scored his first goal at first team level on 29 July 2018 in the pre season friendly against Bayern Munich in a 3–2 win. ^{[9] [10]}

Preston North End (loan)

Nmecha was loaned to Preston North End for the 2018–19 season. ^[11]

VfL Wolfsburg (loan)

On 3 August 2019, Nmecha joined Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg on a season-long loan. ^[12]

Middlesbrough (loan)

Nmecha's loan was ended on 3 January 2020 and he joined Middlesbrough on loan. ^[13] His loan expired on 31 July 2020.

Anderlecht (loan)

On 21 August 2020, Nmecha joined former teammate Vincent Kompany's team Anderlecht on loan. ^[14] On 13 September 2020, he scored his first goal with Anderlecht in a 2–0 win over Cercle Brugge. ^[15] On 19 September, he scored a brace in a 4–2 win over Waasland-Beveren. ^[16] He ended the 2020–21 season scoring 18 goals in 37 matches.

Return to Wolfsburg

Nmecha re-joined VfL Wolfsburg in a permanent deal on 16 July 2021. ^[17] He scored the winning goal on his Bundesliga debut for the club, in a come-from-behind 2–1 victory over Hertha Berlin on 21 August. ^[18]

International career

Born in Hamburg to a German mother and a Nigerian father, but raised in England, Nmecha was eligible to play for Nigeria, Germany and England. ^[19]

England

In October 2014, Nmecha scored for the England Under-17 team in a qualifier against Macedonia. ^[20] Nmecha was included in the England under-19 squad for the 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. ^[21] He scored the only goal of the game in the semi-final against the Czech Republic ^[22] and also scored the winner in the final against Portugal. ^[23]

On 18 May 2018, Nmecha received a call up to the England U21 team by Manager Aidy Boothroyd, for the Toulon Tournament. ^[24] On 9 June 2018, Nmecha came on as a substitute in the 2018 Toulon Tournament final as England defeated Mexico to retain the title. ^[25] In November 2018, Nmecha scored for the England Under-20 team against Germany. ^[26]

Germany

In March 2019, Nmecha declared for Germany and was included in their U21 squad for the first time. ^[27] He made his debut as a 59th minute substitute during the 2–1 victory over England at Bournemouth on 26 March 2019. ^[28] On 6 June 2021, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over Portugal in the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Final, ^[29] and finished the competition as top scorer with four goals. ^[30]

He made his debut for the senior national team on 11 November 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein. ^[31]

Personal life

The son of a German mother and an Igbo Nigerian father, Nmecha - and his younger brother Felix - were born in Hamburg but moved to England with their family in 2007. After honing their skills in the Hamburg borough of Altona, the switch to Manchester brought the young Nmechas to the attention of Premier League team Manchester City. Both went on to join the club's academy. ^[32]

Style of play

Nmecha's main position is as a centre forward, but he is also able to play as a winger on either side. He is known for being comfortable with both feet and for his first touch and finishing ability. ^[33] Nmecha described that he also likes to use his pace to run at defenders. ^[34]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 4 December 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		League cup		Europe		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Manchester City	2017–18 [35]	Premier League	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	—		3	0
Manchester City U23	2017–18 [35]	—			—		—		—		2 [a]	1	2	1
Preston North End (loan)	2018–19 [36]	Championship	41	4	1	0	2	0	—		—		44	4
VfL Wolfsburg (loan)	2019–20 [37]	Bundesliga	6	0	1	0	—		5 [b]	0	—		12	0
Middlesbrough (loan)	2019–20 [38]	Championship	11	0	2	0	0	0	—		—		13	0
Anderlecht (loan)	2020–21 [37]	Belgian Pro League	37	18	4	3	—		—		—		41	21
VfL Wolfsburg	2021–22	Bundesliga	25	8	1	0	—		5 [c]	2	—		31	10
	2022–23	Bundesliga	16	4	2	0	—		—		—		18	4
	2023–24	Bundesliga	3	1	1	1	—		—		—		4	2
	2024–25	Bundesliga	3	0	1	0	—		—		—		4	0
	Total		47	13	5	1	—		5	2	—		57	16
Career total			144	35	13	4	3	0	10	2	2	1	172	43

1. Appearances in EFL Trophy
2. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
3. Appearances in UEFA Champions League

International

As of match played 23 September 2022 ^[39]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Germany	2021	2	0
	2022	5	0
Total		7	0

Honours

England U19

• UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2017 ^[23]

England U21

• Toulon Tournament: 2018 ^[40]

Germany U21

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2021

Individual

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of The Tournament: 2021

References

1. "Lukas Nmecha". Bundesliga. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
2. "Lukas Nmecha: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
3. "Lukas Nmecha". VfL Wolfsburg. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
4. Julian Wacker (5 April 2017). "Lukas Nmecha: eine Neun mit gehörig Pep(p)". talentkritiker.de (in German).
5. "Leicester v Manchester City: Match report". Manchester City Official. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
6. Doyle, Paul (19 December 2017). "Leicester City 1–1 Manchester City (3–4 on pens): Carabao Cup quarter-final". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
7. Fifield, Dominic (29 April 2018). "West Ham still not safe after emphatic win for Manchester City". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
8. "US TOUR SQUAD CONFIRMED". Manchester City Official. 17 July 2018. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
9. "NMECHA RELIEVED TO GET OFF THE MARK". Manchester City Official. 28 July 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
10. "Bayern Munich 2 Man City 3". Bayern Munich Official. 28 July 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
11. "Lukas Nmecha joins Preston on loan". Manchester City FC. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
12. "Wolves attack bolstered by new recruit". VfL Wolfsburg. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
13. "Boro Complete Loan Deal For Lukas Nmecha". Middlesbrough F.C. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
14. "Who is Lukas Nmecha, the 21-year-old striker with barely three goals to his name? – Football news". News1. 21 August 2020.
15. "Manchester City loanee Nmecha scores while Tau impresses in Anderlecht victory". Goal.com. 13 September 2020.
16. "Tau in action as Anderlecht cruise to victory in six-goal thriller against Waasland-Beveren". Goal.com. 19 September 2020.
17. "Nmecha returns to Wolves". VfL Wolfsburg. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
18. "Lukas Nmecha fires Wolfsburg to victory over Hertha Berlin". Bundesliga. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
19. "Manchester City confirm striker is eligible to represent Nigeria". 9 May 2018.
20. "Lukas Nmecha helps U17s to battling win over Macedonia". The Football Association. 27 October 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
21. "Squad for U19 Euro". The Football Association. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
22. "European Under-19 Championship: England beat Czech Republic to reach final". BBC Sport. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
23. "European Under-19 Championship: England beat Portugal in final". BBC Sport. 15 July 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
24. "England U21s head to Maurice Revello tournament in Toulon with a 20-man squad". The Football Association. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
25. "England win third straight Toulon Tournament title after victory over Mexico". BBC Sport. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
26. "England U20 2–0 Germany". The Football Association. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
27. "Lukas Nmecha Called Up To Germany U21 Squad". Preston North End. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
28. "England U21 1-2 Germany U21". DFB. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
29. "Germany 1–0 Portugal". UEFA. 6 June 2021.
30. "Germany beat Portugal to win European U21 Championship". Bundesliga. 6 June 2021.
31. "Germany v Liechtenstein game report". FIFA. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
32. "Felix Nmecha: who is Borussia Dortmund's new Germany midfielder signed from Wolfsburg?". bundesliga.com. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
33. "Lukas Nmecha: Player Profile". Manchester City. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
34. "Vincent Kompany is helping Man City prospect Lukas Nmecha take his game to the next level". Manchester City. 30 July 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
35. "Games played by Lukas Nmecha in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
36. "Games played by Lukas Nmecha in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
37. "L. Nmecha: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
38. "Games played by Lukas Nmecha in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
39. Lukas Nmecha at Soccerway. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
40. "Final fightback takes England U21S to Toulon hat-trick with win over Mexico". The Football Association. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2019.

External links

• Profile at the VfL Wolfsburg website
• Lukas Nmecha at Soccerway
• England profile at The Football Association