Bundesliga
Lukebakio signs on with Hertha
Hertha Berlin have added some serious firepower to their front line with the signing of Dodi Lukebakio on a permanent deal from English Premier League side Watford.
The 21-year-old put pen to paper on a long-term contract of undisclosed length, after impressing in the Bundesliga on loan at Fortuna Düsseldorf last season.
He chalked up 10 goals and four assists in 31 league appearances to help the newly promoted side finish 10th, 16 points clear of the relegation zone.
That prompted the Old Lady to swoop, and the 17-time Belgium U21 international could not be happier. "Hertha are a big club in Germany and they showed a lot of interest in me," he told the official Hertha website.
"That soon convinced me to move to Berlin. I'd like to show what I can do, play a lot and score a lot of goals."
Watch: Discover why Lukebakio was Düsseldorf's main man last season
That he most certainly can do. Lukebakio, who will wear the No.28 jersey for Hertha, made history last term by becoming the first player to score a Bundesliga hat-trick past Manuel Neuer when Fortuna fought their way back to draw a 3-3 draw away to Bayern Munich.
Having also found the net against Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt, Schalke and Hoffenheim, he earned a reputation as a big-game player, scoring when it matters most.
"Dodi's a dynamic attacking player who doesn't only score goals, but has an eye for his team-mates too," said Hertha sporting director Michael Preetz.
"He proved his qualities in the Bundesliga last season. We're delighted we could convince him to come here and firmly believe that he'll develop further and help the team."