Lucas Radebe, whose full name is Lucas Valeriu Ntuba Radebe, is a South African ex-professional who played predominantly as a central defender. He is well-known to have played for English side Leeds United in the Premier League and remains a footballing legend.
Lucas Radebe’s Age
Lucas Radebe was born on the 12th of April 1969 in Soweto, South Africa. He is currently 56 years of age and normally celebrates his birthday on the 12th of April.
Early Life and Education
Lucas Radebe, whose full name is Lucas Valeriu Ntuba Radebe, was born to parents Johannes and Emily Radebe in the Diepkloof section of Soweto, close to Johannesburg in South Africa.
He attended Bopasenatla Secondary School, and while in Grade 10, Lucas was sent to Bophuthatswana to avoid the violence in Diepkloof.
There, he attended Ngotwane High School.
Career
Lucas Radebe is one of the most famous African footballers to have graced the Premier League and Europe at large. His footballing career started in South Africa until he went to Europe and made a name for himself.
Club Career
Kaizer Chiefs
Lucas Radebe started playing with the amateur side, ICL Birds, in the Bophuthatswana Soccer League.
In 1989, while playing with the team, Patrick Ntsolengoe spotted and recruited him to South African powerhouse Kaizer Chiefs.
Lucas Radebe started his career with the team as a goalkeeper before switching to a central midfielder, and finally, he maintained the central defensive position.
Leeds United
In 1994, Lucas Radebe and fellow South African Philemon “Chippa” Masinga moved to the English side, Leeds United, for a combined transfer fee £250,000.
Including Radebe in the transfer allowed Masinga to stay happy, but surprisingly, he became an excellent investment.
Meanwhile, Lucas Radebe wasn’t an instant success at first; he had personal issues with manager Howard Wilkinson and suffered many injuries, depriving Jim of regular playing time.
In March 1996, during a football match, Lucas Radebe returned in goal due to a second-half injury to goalkeeper John Lukic.
Yet again, he appeared in goal when goalkeeper Mark Beeney was sent off in a football match against Manchester United.
Due to his performance in the game, Lucas Radebe quickly earned the “Cult-Hero” status at the club.
Thereafter, George Graham was appointed as Howard Wilkinson’s replacement.
Following his appointment, Lucas Radebe experienced success with the team and was made captain for the 1998/1999 season.
As captain, he led the team to a third-place finish in the Premier League while qualifying for the UEFA Cup.
Lucas Radebe and his teammates were on another level in the 1999/2000 season as their performance remained excellent. They finished the season in third position and qualified for the UEFA Champions League, where they reached the semis.
During this period, Lucas Radebe was targeted by many big European teams, including AC Milan, Roma, and even the English side, Manchester United.
In 2000, he was issued the FIFA Fair Play Award for his sportsmanship in the game of football.
As a result of a serious injury sustained, Lucas Radebe missed two years of play and found it hard to regain his place in the team.
Despite getting an offer from a Spanish side, FC Barcelona, he rejected the move and decided to stay in Johannesburg to remain close to his family.
International Career
In 1992, after the end of apartheid, Lucas Radebe made his footballing debut for the South African National Team against Cameroon.
Due to a quick recovery from an extended knee injury, he was part of the team that won the 1996 African Cup of Nations.
Lucas Radebe was the captain of the South African National Team at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups.
He earned 70 caps for the national side and scored two goals before returning
After Retirement
Lucas Radebe influenced South Africa’s bid to host the 2010 World Cup. After he retired from football, he was involved in limited roles as an ambassador for the 2018 World Cup bid.
He won the PFA Merit Award and was a pundit at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Family
Lucas Radebe first got married to Feziwe Radebe; she passed away in 2008 due to cancer. He remarried in 2015.
Net Worth
Lucas Radebe has an undisclosed net worth.