Luuk de Jong
A towering Dutch striker whose aerial prowess and clutch goals have defined his journeyman career across Europe's top leagues.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Dutch footballer·Birthday: August 27·Millennials
Biography
Luuk de Jong's footballing identity was forged in the air. Emerging from the De Graafschap academy, his physical frame and uncanny heading ability quickly marked him as a classic number nine. His path wasn't a straight line to superstardom but a persistent climb through the Dutch Eredivisie, Germany's Bundesliga, and England's Premier League, with his most resonant chapters written at PSV Eindhoven. There, he became a goal-scoring pillar, leading the line with a mix of brute force and tactical intelligence that delivered multiple league titles. His career is a testament to a specific, unglamorous excellence; while not always the flashiest, managers repeatedly turned to his reliable presence in the box, especially when a cross needed a definitive finish. Later moves to Sevilla and Porto proved his enduring value, adding trophies and demonstrating that a well-honed specialty can have a very long shelf life at the highest level.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Luuk was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Luuk Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Luuk's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won three Eredivisie titles as a key striker for PSV Eindhoven.
- Scored the winning goal for Sevilla in the 2020 UEFA Europa League final against Inter Milan.
- Finished as the Eredivisie's top scorer in the 2011–12 season with 25 goals for FC Twente.
- Earned over 35 caps for the Netherlands national team, representing them at UEFA Euro 2020.
Did You Know?
His younger brother, Siem de Jong, is also a professional footballer and they have been teammates at Ajax and the Dutch national team.
He shares his birthday (August 27) with his brother Siem.
Before his 2024 move to Porto, he had never played club football outside of the Netherlands, Germany, England, and Spain.
“A cross is just a question; my head is the answer.”
