Luke Fleurs
South African soccer player (2000–2024)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Luke Donn Fleurs (3 March 2000 – 3 April 2024) was a South African professional footballer who played as a centre-back for South African Premier Division side Kaizer Chiefs.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Luke Donn Fleurs | ||
| Date of birth | 3 March 2000 | ||
| Place of birth | Cape Town, South Africa | ||
| Date of death | 3 April 2024 (aged 24) | ||
| Place of death | Johannesburg, South Africa | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position | Centre-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2013–2017 | Ubuntu Cape Town | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2017–2018 | Ubuntu Cape Town | 18 | (0) |
| 2018–2023 | SuperSport United | 56 | (2) |
| 2023–2024 | Kaizer Chiefs | 0 | (0) |
| Total | 76 | (2) | |
| International career | |||
| 2016 | South Africa U17 | 5 | (0) |
| 2021 | South Africa U23 | 4 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Club career
Fleurs was born in Cape Town on 3 March 2000.[1] He was from Mitchells Plain but moved to Fish Hoek after signing for Ubuntu Cape Town's academy in 2013, at the age of 13.[2][3] He made his National First Division debut aged 17,[2] and made 18 league appearances in his first season of professional football.[4]
Fleurs signed for South African Premier Division club SuperSport United on a long-term deal in summer 2018.[3]
On 26 October 2023, Fleurs joined fellow Premiership side Kaizer Chiefs, signing a two-year contract with an option for a further year.[5]
International career
Fleurs represented South Africa at under-20 level.[6] He was called up for the Bafana Bafana in 2021[7] and 2022, albeit without receiving a cap.
Death
Fleurs was shot dead in a hijacking on 3 April 2024, at the age of 24.[8][9] The shooting took place at a petrol station in the Johannesburg suburb of Florida, during which the gunmen shot him in the upper body and fled with his vehicle.
The South African Premier Division said a moment of silence will be observed at all first and second-tier games on 6 and 7 April in memory of Fleurs.[10] Six suspects were later arrested in Slovoville, Soweto and were believed to be members of a carjacking syndicate active in Gauteng.[11] In the memory of Fleurs, Kaizer Chiefs retired jersey number 26.
