Maikeli Lomu

Last updated
Maikeli Lomu
Personal information
Date of birth (1997-10-29) 29 October 1997 (age 28)
Place of birth Spanish Fork, United States
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Nukuhetulu FC
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2024–2024 Veitongo FC
2025- Nukuhetulu FC
International career
2024– Tonga
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Maikeli Lomu (born 29 October 1997) is a footballer who played as a defender for Nukuhetulu FC. Born in the United States, he is a Tonga international.

Life and career

Lomu was born on 29 October 1997 in Spanish Fork, has a diverse heritage, with a Tongan father and an American mother. [1] Growing up in his hometown of Spanish Fork, he attended Spanish Fork High School. [2] Married with three daughters, he and his wife once co-owned a pottery studio together. [3] Over the years, he has also resided in Texas.

Lomu primarily plays as a central midfielder, having developed his skills on his high school soccer team. Although he was offered a college soccer scholarship, the opportunity was withdrawn after he served a Mormon mission. In 2024, he signed with Tongan club Veitongo FC and has since represented Tonga internationally. His first call-up to the Tonga national football team came during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, [4] though the team was eliminated in the first round.

In 2025, Lomu joined Nukuhetulu FC and made his debut in the 2026 OFC Men's Champions League qualifying stage match against Tupapa Maraerenga F.C.


References

  1. "The American family who swapped Texas for Tonga to chase a World Cup dream". The New York Times.
  2. "Spanish Fork Native Maikeli Lomu Chases Dream of Playing in 2026 World Cup". ESPN 960.
  3. "Footballer moves to Tonga to chase World Cup dream". PMN.
  4. "Maikeli Lomu's journey from Texas to Tonga's national football team". Talanoa o Tonga.