The Belgian striker was instrumental in securing Inter’s first Serie A title in 11 years last season, but the Italian giant’s financial problems forced him to sell his prized possessions to the Premier League side.
“I am happy and blessed to be back at this wonderful club,” said Lukaku, who signed a five-year contract. “It has been a long journey for me: I came here as a kid with a lot to learn, now I am coming back with a lot more experience and more mature.
back in blue. ️#LukWhosBack
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“The way the club is going is fully living up to my ambitions at the age of 28 and coming away winning Serie A. I think this opportunity comes at the right time and hopefully we can get back together.” May you get a lot of success.”
Lukaku scored 64 goals in two seasons in Italy and quickly became a hero at the San Siro.
But the 28-year-old also has a proven record in the Premier League, scoring 113 goals with Manchester United, Everton and West Brom.
The only blot on Lukaku’s career so far was his first spell at Chelsea as he failed to score in 15 matches.
Signed as an 18-year-old as Didier Drogba’s clear successor, Lukaku quickly grew frustrated with a lack of opportunities in the first team.
Drogba was a hero as Lukaku’s first season as a Chelsea player ended with him winning the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
But he later said that he felt he played “no role” in that success because of his limited playing time.
Prolific loan spells with West Brom and then Everton proved Lukaku’s ability to score in the Premier League before he made a permanent move to the Toffees in 2014.
After scoring 87 goals in three seasons with Everton, Chelsea were called up again but Lukaku instead joined Manchester United in a £75 million move.
Seven goals in his first seven Premier League games gave United hopes of challenging Manchester City for the title in 2017/18, but Jose Mourinho’s time at Old Trafford quickly took the wheels off.
Lukaku scored twice in United’s famous comeback to beat Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 in the early months of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign, but he also fell out of favor with the Norwegian with questions over his fitness .
“Since I left Chelsea, it’s been a long journey with lots of ups and downs, but these experiences made me stronger and the challenge is to help the team win a few more trophies,” Lukaku said. “I can’t wait to get started and help the club achieve more success.”
A move to Inter offered a fresh start under Antonio Conte, a longtime fan of Belgium’s all-time leading scorer.
Together they ended Juventus’ hold on Italian football, taking a 12-point lead over Serie A the previous season.
However, the financial problems of the owners of Inter, Suning Group, which have been intensified by the coronavirus pandemic, have seen their rise quickly resolved.
Conte left the club in May, claiming that the need to cut costs would have prevented him from producing the team he wanted to challenge domestically and in Europe.
After winning the Champions League last season, Chelsea are hoping Lukaku is the last piece needed to make Thomas TuchelFrom Premier League Title Challengers.
“Lukaku is one of the best strikers and goalscorers in the world,” said Chelsea director Marina Granovskia. “We are very pleased to have him back at our favorite club, and are excited to add his talent to our Champions League winning team.
“We definitely want to build on the success of last season, and Lukaku will play a big part in achieving our goals.”
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