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Luc Castaignos (born 27 September 1992) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a forward.

Key Information

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

The roots of Castaignos' family are located in the département of Landes, one hundred kilometers south of Bordeaux in the south-west of France.[2] There, Castaignos' father, the French-born Jean-Luc Castaignos, met Castaignos' mother who is of Cape Verdean descent and holder of an Italian passport.[2][3][4] In October 1990, two years before Luc's birth, the family moved to the Netherlands.[2]

Castaignos started his youth career at the local Schiedam club Excelsior '20.[2][5][6] The youngster lived close to Sportpark Thurlede, the home ground of the Catholic club. His former Excelsior '20 coach, Paul Benschop, was soon convinced by Castaignos' quality: "Everyone could see how much potential he had. Whenever we conceded a goal, Luc would take care of business."[7] At the age of 13, he participated on regional club Spartaan '20's opening day. The club from Rotterdam, youth partner of Feyenoord, saw plenty of potential in the youngster and invited him to join. Castaignos only played one season for Spartaan '20. When various professional clubs showed their interest, Spartaan '20 warned Feyenoord.[7] At the age of 14, he joined the Feyenoord Academy in the summer of 2007.[5] On 30 October 2008, Castaignos signed his first professional contract with Feyenoord, keeping him at De Kuip until summer 2011 with an option for another two seasons.[5][8] He then progressed through the academy.[9]

Feyenoord

[edit]
Castaignos playing for Feyenoord in 2011

After a successful performance with the Netherlands U17 at the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, a clutch of sides were linked to the Dutch youngster. Besides Arsenal, also Liverpool, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim showed their interest in the Feyenoord's top scorer.[10] However, on 22 July 2009, Castaignos crushed all rumours and told Feyenoord manager Mario Been and technical advisor Leo Beenhakker that he wanted to stay in Rotterdam.[11] On 21 June 2009, Been announced he invited Castaignos to train with the first team squad a few times a week.[12] On 13 August 2009, he trained with the first team squad for the first time.[13] Castaignos made his official debut in Feyenoord's first team on 24 September 2009 replacing Leroy Fer in the 72nd minute in the KNVB Cup away match against Harkemase Boys and helped the club win 5–0.[14] After making his first team debut for Feyenoord, he said: "It's strange, because I haven't really proven anything yet. My strengths are my speed and scoring ability, the heading and my left leg could be even better. I can learn a lot from a player like Roy Makaay. Now and then I ask for advice, but I mainly look at the training at which moments he walks away and so on. My debut is a first step, but there are still many steps to follow."[15] At one point, due to his lack of first team opportunities, Castaignos was expected to be loaned out to SBV Excelsior but he ended up staying at the club due to his latter injury.[16] Five months later after making his first team debut and being on the unused bench, Castaignos made his debut, coming on for Jon Dahl Tomasson in a 3–2 loss against Groningen on 28 February 2010.[17] A month later on 24 March 2010, he made his first start of the season against FC Twente in the second leg of the KNVB Cup semi–finals and helped the club win 2–1 to reach the final.[18] Later in the 2009–10 season, Castaignos would make two more appearances and the club would finish in fourth place.[19]

The 2010–11 season campaign proved to be Castaignos' breakout season, stemming from squad rotation and losses in the transfer market.[20][5] He made his UEFA Europa League debut, coming on as a 77th-minute substitute, in a 1–0 win against Gent in the first leg of the play-off rounds (as Feyenoord went on to lose 2–0 in the return leg and was eliminated from the tournament).[21] Following the club's elimination in the UEFA Europa League, Castaignos scored his first career goal for Feyenoord, in a 4–0 win against Vitesse on 28 August 2010.[22] As a result, the club began talks with the player over a new contract.[23] However, he rejected a contract extension, leaving his future at Feyenoord uncertain.[24] Amid to the contract rejection, he scored three goals in three matches between 31 October 2010 and 14 November 2010 against AZ Alkmaar, Roda JC and SC Heerenveen.[25] Castaignos changed his mind when he signed a contract extension with the club, keeping him until 2013, but his agent disputed the claims that the deal was done.[26] Castaignos later scored two more goals by the end of the year, coming against ADO Den Haag on 28 November 2010 and SBV Excelsior on 11 December 2010.[27] In a friendly match against Sparta Rotterdam on 5 January 2011, he received a straight red card in the 57th minute for kicking an opponent, in a 4–2 win.[28] After the match, Castaignos was investigated for his actions by the KNVB, but no action was taken against him.[29] During the same month, he suffered ankle injury while training but quickly recovered from the injury.[30] A month later against Vitesse on 6 February 2011, Castaignos scored his seventh goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw.[31] Two weeks later on 20 February 2011, he scored his first brace of his career, in a 2–2 draw against ADO Den Haag.[32] Two weeks later on 6 March 2011, Castaignos scored his tenth goal of the season, in a 1–0 win against SC Heerenveen.[33] This was followed up by scoring his eleventh goal of the season, in a 2–1 win against NAC Breda.[34] He went on to score four goals in the last four matches of the season that saw Feyenoord finish 10th place in the league, missing out on the Europa League in the process.[35] At the end of the 2010–11 season, Castaignos went on to make 37 appearances and scoring fifteen times in all competitions. He later said in an interview about his desire on returning to Feyenoord one day.[36]

Inter Milan

[edit]

As a result of rejecting a new contract with Feyenoord, Castaignos was on the rampant speculation during the January transfer window, with Italian giants Inter Milan, PSV Eindhoven, Tottenham Hotspur and Valencia were interested in signing the player.[37] In the January transfer window, Inter Milan had their €3 million bid rejected by Feyenoord for Castaignos.[38] After months of agreement, it was finally announced on 4 March 2011 by Feyenoord that the club had agreed to terms with Inter Milan, selling the player for a fee believed to be around €3 million upon the completions of the 2010–2011 season.[39] Upon joining the club, he said: "As a striker you always want to score, but I had hoped to say goodbye with European football. The choice for Inter was a choice based on feeling. I hope that I can become a better football player there. Of course I am really looking forward to going in that direction and developing myself as footballer. I want to become a top player."[40]

Castaignos was featured throughout preseason, most notably scoring the opening goal in a friendly against Celtic on 30 July 2011.[41] He made his competitive debut for Inter Milan in a Supercoppa Italiana, coming on for Joel Obi in a 2–1 loss against Milan, and played in front of 70,000 people at Beijing National Stadium, Beijing China PR.[42] However, Castaignos was controversially dropped from the UEFA Champions League squad.[43] This led the club's chairman Massimo Moratti commenting on the situation on the player, saying: "I was very sorry for Castaignos because he is a great guy, if this story came up he would play him. It's pretty bad, but it's not like you hit someone. We just have to avoid these things."[44] Despite hops of his inclusion in the squad for the tournament, Castaignos remained out of the squad.[45] He made his full league debut, starting a match before being substituted at half time, in a 3–1 loss against Novara on 20 September 2011.[46] Castaignos then scored his first goal in Serie A in an away match to Siena on 27 November 2011, latching on to Thiago Motta's through ball before firing low past Brkić, which proved to be the game winner.[47] However, Castaignos found his first team opportunities limited, due to competitions in the striker positions.[48]

As a result of his lack of first team opportunities, Castaignos was linked a move away from the club, as European clubs from Italy and his homeland country, including PSV Eindhoven were interested in signing him.[49] Ultimately, he stayed at Inter Milan after his agent ruled out of suggestions about the player being loaned out.[50] During a 3–0 loss against Bologna on 17 February 2012, Castaignos was involved in altercation with Andrea Raggi after he spat on Raggi in the 85th minute.[51] After the match, Serie A officials reviewed footage of the incident and he was subsequently banned for three matches.[52] Even after serving a three match suspension, his actions caused Inter to immediately move him into a reserve role, scoring twice in three appearances for the reserve squad and only playing once in the league.[53] However, Castaignos then suffered a hamstring injury, missing out for the rest of the season during a match against Padova Primavera on 4 April 2012 and was sidelined for the rest of the 2011–12 season.[54] At the end of the 2011–12 season, he went on to make eight appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

Following this, his future at Inter Milan was uncertain when Castaignos was linked with a move away from the club.[55] It came after when he was linked with a move to clubs around Premier League clubs, such as, Liverpool, West Ham United, Everton and even his former club, Feyenoord.[56][57] On 20 June 2012, Castaignos announced his intention to leave Inter in favor of a 'big club'.[58]

FC Twente

[edit]

On 28 July 2012, Castaignos made his return to the Eredivisie when FC Twente agreed to terms with Inter Milan for €6 million.[59] The move was confirmed on 30 July 2012 when he signed a four–year contract with the club and was given a number thirty shirt.[60] Castaignos was seen as the replacement for the former Twente striker Luuk de Jong, who had been sold to Borussia Mönchengladbach.[61]

Castaignos made his debut for FC Twente, coming on as a 70th-minute substitute for Dmitri Bulykin, in a 4–1 win over FC Groningen in the opening game of the season.[62] On 26 August 2012, he scored his first goal for the club and set up a goal for Dmitri Bulykin in a 3–1 win over NEC Nijmegen.[63] Four days later on 30 August 2012, Castaignos helped FC Twente when he set up a goal for Felipe Gutiérrez, in a 4–1 win against Bursaspor in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off round and helping the club progress to the group stage.[64] Since joining FC Twente, Castaignos quickly established himself as the club's first choice striker and was living up to his potential as De Jong's successor.[65] His second goal for Twente came on 15 September 2012, in a 6–2 win against Willem II.[66] He then scored two goals in two matches between 7 October 2012 and 20 October 2012 against AZ Alkmaar and Roda JC respectively.[67] In a match against FC Den Bosch in the third round of the KNVB Cup on 30 October 2012, Castaignos set up the club's only goal of the game, but was sent–off for a second bookable offence, in a 2–1 loss.[68] Although his suspension only effect on the KNVB Cup and went on to serve a suspension the following season, he scored his fifth goal of the season, in a 3–0 win against his former club, Feyenoord on 4 November 2012.[69] By the end of the year, Castaignos scored four more goals, including two goals in two matches between 14 December 2012 and 21 December 2012 against Heracles Almelo and AZ Alkmaar respectively.[70] He had to wait until on 17 March 2013 to score his tenth goal of the season, in a 3–0 win against FC Groningen.[71] Castaignos later scored four more goals later in the 2012–13 season, including two goals in two matches between 21 April 2013 and 28 April 2013 against VVV-Venlo and NEC Nijmegen.[72] He was featured in four matches in the play-offs spot for the UEFA Europa League next season, as FC Twente lost 3–2 against FC Utrecht in the final.[73] Despite suffering one injury throughout the 2012–13 season, Castaignos went on to make 44 appearances and scoring fourteen times in all competitions, making him the league's top scorer for the club.[74]

At the start of the 2013–14 season, Castaignos started the season well for FC Twente when he scored against Feyenoord on 11 August 2013 and twice against FC Utrecht in a follow–up match.[75] Since the start of the 2013–14 season, he continued to established himself as the club's first choice striker.[76] During a 2–2 draw against PSV Eindhoven on 14 September 2013 in which Castaignos set up two goals, he was involved in an altercation with Stijn Schaars once the match was full time, leading to a scuffle involving several players.[77] After the match, it was announced that Castaignos would not face charges by the KNVB.[78] He scored three goals in three matches between 4 October 2013 and 26 October 2013 against SC Cambuur, Ajax and ADO Den Haag.[79] After quickly recovering from a head injury while on international duty, Castaignos scored two goals in two matches between 24 November 2013 and 29 November 2013 against NAC Breda and Roda JC respectively.[80] He scored four goals in four matches between 14 December 2013 and 2 February 2014.[81] Castaignos scored two goals in two matches between 15 February 2014 and 23 February 2014 against Vitesse and Feyenoord.[82] He played every league match until being suspended for one match for picking a yellow card during a 1–0 loss against Go Ahead Eagles on 9 March 2014.[83] After serving a one match suspension, Castaignos made his return to the starting line–up against Ajax on 30 March 2014 and played 70 minutes before being substituted, in a 3–0 loss.[84] However, his return was short–lived when he was sent–off in the 88th minute, in a 1–1 draw against ADO Den Haag on 2 April 2014.[85] After serving a two match suspension, Castaignos returned to the starting line–up against NEC Nijmegen on 27 April 2014 and helped FC Twente qualify for the UEFA Europa League next season.[86] At the end of the 2013–14 season, he went on to make 31 appearances and scoring fourteen times in all competitions.

Ahead of the 2014–15 season, Castaignos was linked with a move to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen and Premier League side Swansea City.[87] But he ended up staying at the club throughout the summer transfer window.[88] At the start of the 2014–15 season, Castaignos continued to established himself as FC Twente's first choice striker.[89] He scored two goals in two matches between 24 August 2014 and 28 August 2014 against NAC Breda and Qarabağ respectively.[90] His goal scoring form throughout September was added to a total of six, including scoring two consecutive goals against Heracles Almelo and Achilles '29.[91] A month later on 26 October 2014, Castaignos scored his ninth goal of the season, in a 2–1 loss against SBV Excelsior.[92] He then scored three more goals between 23 November 2014 and 30 November 2014, including a brace against PEC Zwolle.[93] However, Castaignos suffered a setback when he suffered an eye injury and was sidelined for a month.[94] Castaignos previously suffered a hamstring injury two months prior while on international duty but he quickly recovered.[95] Castaignos returned to the starting line–up against his former club, Feyenoord on 17 January 2015, as the club lost 3–1.[96] Ten days later on 27 January 2015, he scored his thirteenth goal of the season, in a 3–0 win against AZ Alkmaar in the quarter–finals of the KNVB Cup.[97] On 28 February 2015, Castaignos scored his fourteenth goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against NAC Breda.[98] However, during a 2–0 win against PEC Zwolle on 14 March 2015, he suffered a hamstring injury and was substituted at half time.[99] After missing two matches, Castaignos returned to the first team from injury, coming on as a 71st-minute substitute, in a 3–1 win against Go Ahead Eagles on 12 April 2015.[100] At the end of the 2014–15 season, he went on to make 35 appearances and scoring fourteen times in all competitions.

Eintracht Frankfurt

[edit]

After three prolific seasons at Twente, Castaignos was expected to leave FC Twente in the summer transfer window, due to the club's financial problems.[101] As a result, he was linked with a move to Swansea City and Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt.[102] On 29 June 2015, it was reported that Eintracht Frankfurt agreed to sign Castaignos for a reported €4 million move.[103] The move was confirmed the next day, with the player signed a three–year contract with the club.[104] However, the transfer fee was disputed, as it cost whether €2.5 million and €4 million.[105][4]

However, during a 2–1 win against Leeds United in a friendly match on 21 July 2015, he suffered a thigh injury and had to be substituted in the 20th minute.[106] This threatened to cause him to miss the start of the 2015–16 season by being sidelined between two and four weeks.[107] But Castaignos quickly made a full recovery from a thigh injury.[108] He made his debut for the club in the first round of the DFB–Pokal against Bremer SV on 8 August 2015 and scored his first goal for Eintracht Frankfurt, in a 3–0 win.[109] Castaignos scored two braces in two matches between 29 August 2015 and 12 September 2015, winning both matches against VfB Stuttgart and 1. FC Köln.[110] Since joining the club, he quickly become involved in the first team, becoming Eintracht Frankfurt's first choice striker with Haris Seferovic.[111] After a promising start at the club, Castaignos' performance was criticised due to not scoring regularly and was demoted to the substitute bench as a result.[112][3] But his performance soon improved, with manager Armin Veh acknowledging his adaption to the German style.[113] However, Castaignos suffered ankle injury during a match against Bayer Leverkusen on 21 November 2015 and was substituted in the 22nd minute, as Eintracht Frankfurt lost 3–1.[114] After the match, it was announced that the player would be sidelined for three months.[115][4] On 12 March 2016, he made his return from injury, coming on as an 86th-minute substitute, in a 3–0 loss against Borussia Mönchengladbach.[116] Following his return from injury, Castaignos continued to be relegated to the bench in the second part of the season, as well as, his goal drought.[117] He played in the first leg of the Bundesliga play-offs against 1. FC Nürnberg as the late substitute and the club went on to win 2–1 on aggregate to avoid relegation.[118] At the end of the 2015–16 season, Castaignos went on to make 21 appearances and scoring five times in all competitions.

Ahead of the 2016–17 season, Castaignos was expected to stay at Eintracht Frankfurt.[119] It came after when Galatasaray, Sporting CP, Newcastle United and Southampton.[120] He made first and only appearance for the club against 1. FC Magdeburg in the first round of the DFB–Pokal.[121] With his first opportunities at Eintracht Frankfurt, it was expected that Castaignos would be leaving the club.[122]

Sporting CP

[edit]

In summer 2016, Castaignos joined compatriot Bas Dost at Portuguese side Sporting CP on a three-year deal.[123][124] The transfer move reported to have cost €2.5 million and a buyout clause of €60 million.[123][125] Upon joining the club, he was given a number twenty shirt.[126]

Castaignos made his long-awaited debut for Sporting CP, coming on as a 61st-minute substitute, in a 1–1 draw against Tondela on 22 October 2016.[127] He was handed his first start for Sporting only on 2 November 2016, in a Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund and 45 minutes before being substituted, in a 1–0 loss.[128] However, Castaignos found his first team opportunities limited and found his playing time, coming from the substitute bench.[129] He also found himself plagued with injuries along the way.[130] At the end of the 2016–17 season, Castaignos made thirteen appearances in all competitions. Following this, Publico named the player as one of the club's worst signing of the season.[131]

Following his loan spell at Vitesse came to an end, Castaignos was featured in Sporting CP's pre–season squad.[132] He continued to expect to leave the club over the summer despite making his return.[133] Amid the transfer speculation, Castaignos made his appearance for Sporting CP in over a year, coming on as a late substitute, in a 1–1 draw against rivals, Benfica on 25 August 2018.[134] Eventually, he ended up staying at the club when the transfer window closed.[135] Following this, Castaignos continued to find his first team opportunities limited and was placed on the substitute bench.[136] He went on to make three appearances for the club in the 2018–19 season.[137] It was announced on 19 February 2019 that Castaignos left Sporting CP by mutual consent after months of speculation over his future at the club.[138] It was reported in the Portuguese media that Castaignos cost Sporting CP10,000 euros for every minutes he played in the competition.[139]

Vitesse (loan)

[edit]

On 7 August 2017, Castaignos returned to the Netherlands to join Vitesse on a season-long loan.[140] It came after when Sporting CP expected the player to leave in the summer.[141]

He made his debut for the club, coming on as a 78th-minute substitute, in a 4–1 win against NAC Breda in the opening game of the season.[142] Since joining Vitesse, Castaignos found his playing time, coming on from the substitute bench and competed with Tim Matavž over the first choice striker role.[143] He spoke out about his place in the first team, saying: "I had to be patient, waited a long time. But everything is happening as it should happen. In moments like this I have to take my chance."[144] Castaignos then scored his first goal for the club, in a 3–0 win against Excelsior on 9 September 2017.[145] However, he suffered a concussion in a match against Zulte Waregem in the UEFA Europa League match on 2 November 2017 and was substituted in the 35th minute, as the club lost 2–0.[146] After missing one match, Castaignos returned to the first team from injury, coming on as an 83rd-minute substitute, in a 4–2 loss against FC Groningen on 19 November 2017.[147] Three weeks later on 7 December 2017, he scored his second goal for Vitesse, in a 1–0 win against OGC Nice in the UEFA Europa League Group Stage.[148] After going two months without scoring, Castaignos finally scored his third goal for the club, in a 2–1 loss against Excelsior on 17 February 2018.[149] He played in both legs of the play-off against FC Utrecht and helped Vitesse win 5–3 on aggregate to qualify for the UEFA Europa League next season.[150] At the end of the 2017–18 season, Castaignos went on to make 36 appearances and scoring three times in all competitions. Following this, he returned to his parent club.[151]

Gyeongnam FC

[edit]

On 20 February 2019, Castaignos officially joined South Korean K League 1 football club Gyeongnam FC.[152] Upon joining the club, he said: "I am delighted to be joining Gyeongnam. I am looking forward to living in Gyeongnam, and I want to meet the fans at the stadium as soon as possible. "[152]

Castaignos made his debut for the club, coming on as a 62nd-minute substitute, in a 2–1 win against Seongnam in the opening game of the season.[153] In a follow–up match against Shandong Luneng in the AFC Champions League, he set up a goal for Kim Seung-jun, in a 2–2 draw.[154] However, Castaignos suffered a knee injury and was substituted at half time, as Gyeongnam won 2–1 against Daegu on 30 March 2019.[155] As a result, he was sidelined for two months.[156] Castaignos made his return from injury against Johor Darul Ta'zim on 22 May 2019 and scored his first goal for the club, in a 2–0 win.[157] After missing a match due to being given a personal leave, he scored two goals in two matches between 15 June 2019 and 22 June 2019 against Seongnam and Incheon United.[158] After suffering another injury, Castaignos then scored his fourth goal for Gyeongnam, in a 2–2 draw against Jeju United on 22 July 2019.[159] Despite the injuries, he continued to remain involved in the first team throughout the 2019 season.[160] However, the club ended up relegated to K League 2 after losing 2–0 to Busan IPark on aggregate on 8 December 2019.[161] At the end of the 2019 season, Castaignos made 26 appearances and scoring four times in all competitions.

However, the 2020 season was pushed back to May because of the pandemic.[162] He also stayed at Gyeongnam despite the club's relegation.[163] Castaignos made his first appearance of the season, coming on as 78th-minute substitute, in a 0–0 draw against Ansan Greeners on 20 July 2020.[164] In a follow–up match against Jeonnam Dragons, he scored his first goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw.[165] Castaignos scored his second goal of the season, in a 3–3 draw against Jeju United on 5 September 2020, in what turned out to be his last appearance for Gyeongnam.[166] On 21 September 2020, the club announced that they have terminated his contract by mutual consent, with manager Seol Ki-hyeon claiming that the player fell out with the management.[167] By the time he departed from Gyeongnam, Castaignos made eight appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.

OFI

[edit]

On 21 January 2021, Castaignos agreed a move to Greek club OFI.[168] The move was confirmed on 25 January 2021, with the player signed a two–year contract, keeping him until 2023.[169] Upon joining the club, he said: "I was surprised by the way I played with total football."[170]

Castaignos made his debut for OFI, coming on as an 82nd-minute substitute, in a 2–0 loss against AEK Athens on 31 January 2021.[171] He then scored his first goal for the club, in a 2–1 loss against Volos two weeks later on 14 February 2021.[172] However, Castaignos suffered a leg injury that saw him sidelined between four and six weeks.[173] But he made his return from injury, coming on as a second-half substitute, in a 2–2 draw against Panetolikos in the last game of the season.[174] At the end of the 2020–21 season, Castaignos made eight appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

1. FC Magdeburg

[edit]

Castaignos joined 2. Bundesliga club 1. FC Magdeburg as a free agent in January 2023, after a trial.[175] He left Magdeburg at the end of the 2023–24 season.[176]

International career

[edit]

Castaignos is eligible to play for France through his parents and Netherlands through his place of birth, but he opted to play for Netherlands.[177][2][3][4]

Early youth career

[edit]

In September 2008, Castaignos was called up to the Netherlands U17 for the first time when he was fifteen years old and made his first international appearance on 18 September 2008 in a friendly match of the Netherlands U17, in a 0–0 draw against Spain U17.[178] In a follow–up match against Germany U17 on 25 September 2008, Castaignos scored his first goal for the U17 national team, in a 2–1 win.[179] Two weeks later on 8 October 2008, he scored his second goal for Netherlands U17, in a 2–0 win against Poland U17.[180] Castaignos scored his first brace in his U17 national team, in a 2–2 draw against Norway U17 on 8 February 2009.[181] He added four more goals throughout the UEFA European Under-17 Championship elite round, including a brace against Luxembourg U17 on 21 March 2009.[182]

In April 2009, Castaignos was called up to the Netherlands U17 squad for the UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship in Germany.[183] He played his first match of the tournament, starting the whole game, in a 1–1 draw against England U17 on 6 May 2009.[184] Three days later on 9 May 2009, Castaignos scored his first goal of the tournament, in a 2–1 win against Turkey U17.[185] He scored his second goal of the tournament, in the semi–finals of the UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, in a 2–1 win against Switzerland U17 to reach the final.[186] In the final against Germany U17, Castaignos scored the opening goal of the game, as the Dutch team, aided by a strong contingent of seven Feyenoord players in the squad, finished second after losing 2–1 the final to in extra-time.[187] For his performance in tournament, he was considered one of the key players in the team,[188] picked up the tournament's top scorer award alongside Lennart Thy[189] and was mentioned in the team of the tournament.[190]

Castaignos' international fame started to rise after the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship in Germany and was called up to the Netherlands U17 squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria.[191] He scored his first goal in the tournament, in a 2–1 win against Gambia U17 on 28 October 2009.[192] Castaignos played all three matches in the tournament, as he was unable to help the U17 national team reach further in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.[193] With 13 goals, Castaignos is the all-time top scorer of the Netherlands U17.

Netherlands U19

[edit]

In February 2010, Castaignos was called up to the Netherlands U19 for the first time.[194] He made his debut for the U19 national team, starting a match and 73 minutes before being substituted, in a 1–1 win against England U19 on 2 March 2010.[195] On 20 May 2010, Castaignos scored his first Netherlands U19 goals, in a 2–0 win against Poland U19.[196]

In July 2010, Castaignos was called up to the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in France.[197] He played all three matches, as the U19 national team were eliminated in the group stage.[198] Castaignos scored another brace for Netherlands U19, in a 2–2 draw against Germany U19 on 3 September 2010.[199] A month later on 9 October 2010, he scored his third brace for the U19 national team, in a 3–0 win against Malta U19.[200] Castaignos later scored two more goals for Netherlands U19.[201]

Netherlands U21

[edit]

In August 2011, Castaignos was called up to the Netherlands U21 squad for the first time.[202] He made his U21 national team debut, starting the whole game, in a 3–0 loss against Sweden U21 on 10 August 2011.[203] Castaignos made two more appearances for the Netherlands U21 by the end of the year.[204] In February 2012, he was called up to the Netherlands U20 for the first time.[205] Castaignos made his U20 national team debut, starting a match and played 70 minutes before being substituted, in a 3–0 win against Denmark U21 on 29 February 2012.[206]

After a year absence, Castaignos was called up to the Netherlands U21 squad for the first time on 31 July 2013.[207] He made his first appearances for the U21 national team in over a year, coming on as a second-half substitute, in a 1–0 loss against Czech Republic U21 on 14 August 2013.[208] Castaignos scored his first goal for Netherlands U21 and setting up one of the goals, in a 4–0 win against Scotland U21 on 5 September 2013.[209] A month later on 10 October 2013, he scored a hat–trick and set up two goals, in a 6–0 win against Georgia U21.[210] A month later on 14 November 2013, Castaignos scored his fourth goal for U21 national team, in a 2–2 draw against Slovakia U21.[211] On 3 June 2014, he scored his fifth goal for Netherlands U21, in a 3–1 win against Luxembourg U21.[212] Castaignos then made three more appearances for the U21 national team by the time he was 22 years old.[213] Castaignos made fifteen appearances and scoring six times for the Netherlands U21.

Playing style

[edit]

Castaignos' playing style led the media to compare him to Thierry Henry.[57][214][215] However, he received criticism from the Netherlands media failing to live up to his potential, as well as, his performance.[216]

Former Feyenoord striker Roy Makaay said about the player, saying: "He has an awful lot of qualities, but also shortcomings. The great thing is that he sees that himself. A good quality. Initially, Luc could only stand on his left leg, but recently he has already developed in that area. More is expected of him than is realistic with his age. That applies to more guys at Feyenoord and that creates enormous pressure. Then things are not going well, the results are not really good and that pressure will only increase. He has a lot of qualities, but also shortcomings. The good thing is that he sees it himself. A good feature. Initially Luc could only stand on his left leg, but lately he has already developed in that area."[217][214] Then Feyenoord manager Mario Been said about Castaignos, saying: "He is getting better and better, I am actually only waiting for a goal. I will just let Luc be in the front line for the coming period. If he makes a few, he can do so enormously help out. Luc fends off in the duels with big defenders, uses his body better and better. He clearly has the qualities for it."[218]

Castaignos spoke about his physical appearance in his early Feyenoord's career, saying: "You demand a lot from your body in such a football year. I notice at the top how important it is to have strength.Especially since I am not yet fully grown due to my age and still have to gain a few kilos of muscle strength. That is where my gains are in the coming seasons. I already notice that I have become stronger. At the beginning of the competition I was pushed away more easily then now."[219][220] Manager Been said: "We only had Luc as a deep striker. Now he can handle it physically well. He's getting stronger and holding his own."[221] Manager Steve McClaren said about the Castaignos, saying: "Luc Castaignos is also doing well. We like what we see of him in training, he is a real striker who wants to score continuously. He is working on his fitness and needs some time."[222]

Regarding his failed spell at Inter Milan, former Feyenoord striker Pierre van Hooijdonk said: "The problem with Luc Castaignos is that people see him as a player who comes from Inter. And that is not right, because that is not his shoe size. You have to judge him as a Feyenoord player and not with an Inter shirt on, because that has never been his level. The problem with Castaignos is that he doesn't score enough at the moment. If that is the case, other things are looked at and a striker is criticized for his playing football. You never hear that about a striker who has twenty in it."[223] Makkay also said about the striker's time in Italy: "I cannot judge what he did in Italy that year. But he has hardly played. And for a young player it is of course important to play many matches. On the other hand, he was able to train at a high level at Internazionale."[224]

Then Eintracht Frankfurt Manager Armin Veh said: "He can combine, play as a second tip or come over the left wing. We are very variable there", while manager Gertjan Verbeek called him "a second striker".[225]

Personal life

[edit]

In March 2011, Castaignos and his then teammate Ron Vlaar took part in a spinning marathon for the charity, Stichting Luna Sluiter Foundation.[226]

Upon joining Inter Milan, he began learning Italian.[227][219] Growing up, Castaignos said he idolised Samuel Eto'o.[228] In January 2014, Castaignos got his wisdom tooth removed and missed FC Twente's pre–season winter for three days.[229]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 1 July 2023[230]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Feyenoord 2009–10 Eredivisie 3 0 2 0 — — 5 0
2010–11 34 15 1 0 2[a] 0 — 37 15
Total 37 15 3 0 2 0 0 0 42 15
Inter Milan 2011–12 Serie A 6 1 1 0 0 0 1[b] 0 8 1
Twente 2012–13 Eredivisie 34 13 2 1 8[a] 0 — 44 14
2013–14 31 14 0 0 — — 31 14
2014–15 29 10 4 3 2[a] 1 — 35 14
Total 94 37 6 4 10 1 0 0 110 42
Eintracht Frankfurt 2015–16 Bundesliga 19 4 1 1 — 1[c] 0 21 5
2016–17 0 0 1 0 — — 1 0
Total 19 4 2 1 0 0 1 0 22 5
Sporting CP 2016–17 Primeira Liga 6 0 6[d] 0 1[e] 0 — 13 0
2018–19 3 0 1[f] 0 0[e] 0 — 4 0
Total 9 0 7 0 1 0 0 0 17 0
Vitesse (loan) 2017–18 Eredivisie 29 2 1 0 5[a] 1 2[g] 0 37 3
Gyeongnam FC 2019 K League 1 22 3 1 0 3[h] 1 — 26 4
2020 K League 2 8 2 0 0 — — 8 2
Total 30 5 1 0 3 1 0 0 34 6
OFI 2020–21 Superleague Greece 8 1 1 0 — — 9 1
2021–22 12 0 3 2 — — 15 2
Total 20 1 4 2 0 0 0 0 24 3
1. FC Magdeburg 2022–23 2. Bundesliga 7 1 0 0 — — 7 1
2023–24 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
Total 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 1
Career total 251 66 25 7 21 3 4 0 301 76
  1. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ Appearance(s) in Supercoppa Italiana
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in Bundesliga relegation play-offs
  4. ^ Three appearances in Taça de Portugal, three in Taça da Liga
  5. ^ a b Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  6. ^ One appearances in Taça de Portugal
  7. ^ Appearance(s) in Eredivisie European play-offs
  8. ^ Appearance(s) in AFC Champions League

Honours

[edit]

Sporting CP

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Luc Castaignos

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Luc Castaignos (born 27 September 1992) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played primarily as a centre-forward.[1] Born in Schiedam, Netherlands, Castaignos began his youth career at local club Excelsior '20 and Spartaan '20 before joining Feyenoord's academy in 2007, where he progressed rapidly and made his senior debut in the 2009–10 season.[1] At Feyenoord, he appeared in 42 matches and scored 15 goals over two seasons, establishing himself as a promising talent.[2] In 2011, he transferred to Inter Milan for €1.5 million, but limited opportunities there—eight appearances and one goal—led to a €6 million move to FC Twente in 2012, where he enjoyed his most productive spell with 114 appearances and 42 goals across three seasons.[3][2] Castaignos continued his career with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2015 (22 appearances, 5 goals), followed by a transfer to Sporting CP in 2016 for €2.5 million, during which he had a loan spell at Vitesse Arnhem in 2017–18 (36 appearances, 3 goals).[3][2] Later moves included Gyeongnam FC in South Korea (2019–20, 34 appearances, 6 goals), OFI Crete in Greece (2021–22, 24 appearances, 3 goals), and 1. FC Magdeburg in Germany (2023–25, 27 appearances, 5 goals).[2] He announced his retirement on 11 February 2025 at age 32, after over 15 years as a professional.[1] Internationally, Castaignos represented the Netherlands at youth levels, earning 15 caps and scoring 6 goals for the U21 team, while accumulating 36 appearances and 19 goals across U17, U19, and U20 squads.[4] He was a standout at the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, where he served as top scorer for the victorious Dutch side with three goals.[5] Additionally, he won the Taça de Portugal with Sporting CP in 2019.[1]

Early life and youth career

Family background and early years

Luc Castaignos was born on 27 September 1992 in Schiedam, Netherlands, to a French father and a mother of Cape Verdean descent.[6][7] He holds dual Dutch and French citizenship through his paternal lineage.[7] Castaignos's family settled in the Rotterdam metropolitan area.[6]

Youth club progression

Castaignos began his youth football career at RKSV Excelsior '20 in his hometown of Schiedam, joining the club in 1997 at the age of five and remaining there until 2006.[7] During his nine years at Excelsior '20, he developed as a striker in the highest youth teams, honing his skills in local competitions and tournaments.[8] In 2006, at the age of 14, Castaignos moved to Spartaan '20 in Rotterdam for one season to access more advanced training opportunities.[7] Spartaan '20 maintained a close collaboration with Feyenoord at the time, which facilitated his rapid progression toward professional scouting.[8] His performances during this brief stint drew interest from several professional clubs, prompting his transfer to the Feyenoord academy at Varkenoord in the summer of 2007.[8] At Feyenoord, Castaignos progressed through the youth ranks, featuring prominently in the U15 and U17 teams from 2007 to 2009, where his goal-scoring prowess and physical attributes earned significant scout attention from European clubs.[8] By age 16, in August 2009, he received his first exposure to senior training sessions with the Feyenoord first team under coach Mario Been, marking a key step toward his professional breakthrough.[8]

Club career

Feyenoord debut and breakthrough

Castaignos made his professional debut for Feyenoord on 24 September 2009, at the age of 16, substituting for Leroy Fer in the 72nd minute of a KNVB Cup second-round match against Harkemase Boys, which Feyenoord won 5–0. His Eredivisie debut followed on 28 February 2010, coming on as a late substitute in a 3–2 away victory over FC Groningen.[9] In the 2009–10 season, Castaignos made limited appearances, featuring in three Eredivisie matches and two play-off games without scoring. His breakthrough arrived during the 2010–11 campaign under coach Mario Been, where he established himself as a key forward, often starting as the central striker after initial substitute roles. He recorded 34 appearances in the Eredivisie, scoring 15 goals and providing 2 assists, including his first senior goal on 29 August 2010 in a 4–0 home win over Vitesse.[10] Overall, across all competitions that season, he contributed 15 goals in 37 outings. Regarded as one of the Netherlands' most promising young talents, Castaignos earned acclaim from fans and pundits for his physical presence, finishing ability, and potential to become a top striker, often compared to emerging Dutch prodigies of the era.[11] On 28 August 2011, shortly after the season's end, Castaignos transferred to Inter Milan for a reported fee of €1.5 million, signing a five-year contract but agreeing to remain on loan at Feyenoord until the end of the 2010–11 campaign before officially joining in summer.[12]

Inter Milan stint

In the summer of 2011, Luc Castaignos joined Inter Milan from Feyenoord for a transfer fee of €1.5 million, arriving as an 18-year-old highly touted prospect often compared to Thierry Henry due to his prolific youth scoring record.[1][13] He began training under new head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who had been appointed in June and envisioned the young Dutch striker as part of a youth-infused rebuild following Inter's post-treble struggles.[14] During the 2011–12 season, Castaignos made just six appearances in Serie A, starting only one match and accumulating 182 minutes on the pitch, primarily as a substitute from the bench.[15] His sole goal came in a 1–0 away victory against Siena on November 27, 2011, scoring the winner in the 89th minute after entering as a second-half replacement.[16] Despite the media anticipation surrounding him as the "next big thing" in Italian football, Castaignos struggled to secure consistent playing time amid fierce competition from established forwards like Diego Milito, Giampaolo Pazzini, and Diego Forlán.[17] Gasperini's sacking in late November, followed by Claudio Ranieri's arrival, further limited opportunities as the team prioritized experienced players during a turbulent campaign.[14] By the end of the season, Castaignos had failed to establish a permanent role in the first team, leading to his permanent transfer to FC Twente in July 2012 for €6 million without achieving full integration into Inter's squad.[18]

FC Twente tenure

Castaignos joined FC Twente from Inter Milan on a permanent transfer in July 2012 for a reported fee of €6 million, signing a four-year contract as a replacement for Luuk de Jong.[19][20] This move marked his return to the Eredivisie after a limited stint in Italy, where he had struggled for playing time. The 19-year-old Dutch forward quickly adapted to the Dutch league's pace, debuting in the opening match of the 2012–13 season against FC Groningen, where he scored in a 4–1 victory.[10] Over the course of four seasons from 2012 to 2016, Castaignos established himself as one of FC Twente's most reliable attackers, accumulating 114 appearances and 42 goals across the Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, and UEFA Europa League.[21] In his inaugural 2012–13 campaign, he emerged as the club's leading scorer with 16 goals in 51 total matches, including 13 in the league that helped secure a sixth-place finish and qualification for the Europa League group stage; he featured in 8 European games that season, recording 1 assist during qualifying.[4] The following year, 2013–14, Castaignos maintained his form with 14 league goals from 31 appearances, playing a pivotal role in Twente's third-place league standing, which earned another Europa League spot despite the team finishing behind Ajax and Feyenoord.[22] Castaignos's progress was interrupted in November 2014 when he sustained a knee injury during a 3–1 win over FC Dordrecht, forcing him to miss several weeks of action. He recovered steadily and returned to contribute in the latter half of the 2014–15 season, though the club endured a six-point deduction for financial irregularities, ultimately settling for 10th place.[23] In his final year at Twente during 2015–16, amid ongoing financial turmoil that led to a three-year European ban, Castaignos added to his tally with consistent performances in the league, helping the team avoid relegation by finishing 13th despite a three-point deduction.[24] His tenure highlighted a period of solid productivity in a familiar environment, contrasting with later challenges abroad.

Eintracht Frankfurt move

Following the expiration of his contract with FC Twente, Luc Castaignos transferred to Eintracht Frankfurt on 1 July 2015 for a reported fee of €2.5 million, signing a three-year deal until June 2018.[25][26] Under coach Thomas Schaaf, Castaignos was initially positioned as a central striker but faced stiff competition from established forward Alexander Meier, who had been the Bundesliga's second-highest scorer the previous season with 16 goals.[27][28] This rivalry, combined with Schaaf's tactical emphasis on a balanced attack amid the team's struggles (finishing 16th and entering relegation playoffs), led to rotation in Castaignos's role, limiting his consistent starts. In the 2015–2016 Bundesliga season, Castaignos made 19 appearances, scoring 4 goals, while contributing 1 goal in cup competitions for a total of 5 goals across 22 official matches—reflecting a modest impact during a challenging campaign for the club.[29][30] After just one season, Castaignos and Eintracht Frankfurt mutually agreed to terminate his contract in August 2016, allowing him to seek new opportunities.[30]

Sporting CP and Vitesse loan

In August 2016, Luc Castaignos joined Sporting CP from Eintracht Frankfurt on a three-year contract, with an option for a fourth year, following a season in Germany where he had struggled for consistent starts despite scoring four goals in 19 Bundesliga appearances.[31][32] During the 2016–17 season, Castaignos featured in 13 matches across all competitions for Sporting CP, including six in the Primeira Liga, three in the Taça da Liga, three in the Taça de Portugal, and one in the UEFA Champions League, but he did not score any goals.[33] His limited opportunities stemmed from intense competition in the forward line, particularly from established striker Bas Dost, and occasional fitness issues that hampered his integration into the squad.[31] Although he left before the final, Castaignos was part of the squad that won the Taça de Portugal in the 2018–19 season.[34] On 7 August 2017, Castaignos was loaned to Vitesse Arnhem for the 2017–18 season to regain form in familiar surroundings.[35] At Vitesse, he made 28 appearances in the Eredivisie, starting eight times and scoring two goals with one assist, while adding one goal in five Europa League matches and appearing in three KNVB Beker matches, totaling 36 appearances and three goals across competitions.[36] His contributions helped Vitesse secure sixth place in the Eredivisie standings, qualifying for the UEFA Europa League.[37] Castaignos returned to Sporting CP at the end of the loan in June 2018 and featured sparingly in the early 2018–19 season, making three appearances without scoring. On 19 February 2019, Sporting CP and Castaignos mutually agreed to terminate his contract six months early, allowing him to pursue opportunities elsewhere as a free agent.[38]

Gyeongnam FC and OFI Crete

Following his departure from Sporting CP on a free transfer, Luc Castaignos signed a three-year contract with Gyeongnam FC of the K League 1 in February 2019.[39] Over the subsequent seasons, he made 34 appearances and scored 6 goals for the club, including notable contributions in matches such as a 2–2 draw against Jeju United where he netted his fourth goal of the campaign.[21] Despite periods sidelined by injuries, including a 51-day absence due to an unknown injury in the 2018–19 season, Castaignos featured regularly in Gyeongnam's efforts amid a challenging period that culminated in the team's relegation from K League 1 at the end of 2020.[40][41] In January 2021, Castaignos joined OFI Crete in the Super League Greece on a free transfer, signing a deal until the summer of 2023.[42] He went on to make 24 appearances and score 3 goals across the latter stages of the 2020–21 season and the full 2021–22 campaign, debuting as a substitute in a match against Panetolikos.[21] His time at OFI coincided with ongoing disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, which had already suspended the Greek league in early 2020 and continued to affect scheduling and player availability into 2021. Castaignos was released by the club on 30 June 2022, prior to the expiration of his contract which was due in summer 2023.

1. FC Magdeburg and retirement

In January 2023, Luc Castaignos signed with 1. FC Magdeburg of the 2. Bundesliga on a free transfer following a trial period, agreeing to a contract until June 2024 after leaving OFI Crete.[43][7] Castaignos quickly integrated into the squad, making 7 league appearances in the second half of the 2022–23 season and contributing 1 goal.[21] In the 2023–24 season, he featured in 19 2. Bundesliga matches, scoring 4 goals and providing 1 assist while accumulating 828 minutes, primarily as a veteran presence in the attack.[44] Over his time at the club, he totaled 27 league appearances and 5 goals, helping stabilize the forward line amid Magdeburg's efforts to establish themselves in the second tier following their recent promotion from the 3. Liga.[21] Castaignos extended his contract in summer 2024 for the 2024–25 season, continuing his role as an experienced forward.[7] Early in the campaign, he made one appearance as a substitute before recurring injury concerns, including a prior hamstring issue from the previous year, limited his involvement.[45] On February 11, 2025, at the age of 32, Castaignos announced his retirement from professional football, bringing an end to his tenure at Magdeburg and a career spanning over 15 years across multiple countries.[7]

International career

Early youth internationals

Castaignos received his initial call-up to the U17 squad in 2008, making his debut on 18 September in a friendly match. Building on his club form, he secured regular selections for the Netherlands U17 team.[46] In the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifiers, Castaignos emerged as a prolific scorer for the U17 team, netting 5 goals across the campaign to help the Netherlands advance to the finals in Germany. Notable contributions included a brace in a 4-0 elite round victory over Luxembourg on March 21, 2009, and the third goal in a 3-0 win against Croatia three days later, securing top spot in their group.[47][48] The Dutch U17 side, with Castaignos as a central figure, participated in several training camps and friendly matches against Scandinavian and Eastern European opponents during 2008–2009, honing their tactics and cohesion ahead of competitive fixtures. By the start of the finals, he had already recorded nine goals in eleven U17 appearances, approaching the national record at that age group.[5] In the finals, Castaignos scored four goals, including a brace in the semi-final against Italy and goals in the group stage and final, earning the top scorer award and helping the Netherlands win the tournament 2–1 against Germany in the final. He finished his U17 career with 13 goals in 17 appearances, a Dutch record.[5]

Netherlands U19 appearances

Castaignos received his first call-up to the Netherlands U19 team in 2010, marking the start of a productive period in which he earned 11 caps and scored 5 goals between May 2010 and June 2012.[44] His debut came on 20 May 2010, when he netted a brace in a 2–0 friendly victory over Poland U19, announcing his potential as a key attacking threat for the squad.[49] Over the following months, he continued to impress in qualifiers for the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, including a two-goal haul in a 3–0 win against Malta during the qualifying round Group 9 match on 9 October 2010, helping the Netherlands secure top spot in their group with three wins from three games.[50] At the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals in France, Castaignos featured in all three group stage matches for the Netherlands, who were making their debut at the tournament. The team earned three points but finished third in Group A after a 4–1 loss to hosts France on 18 July, a 1–0 victory over England on 21 July, and a 0–1 defeat to Austria on 24 July, resulting in elimination from the semi-final stage. Castaignos's contributions highlighted his clinical finishing, though the squad's overall inexperience contributed to their early exit.[51][52][53] Castaignos also earned one cap for the Netherlands U20 team in 2012.[54] In the 2011 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifiers, Castaignos played a pivotal role during the elite round held in April 2011 in Italy, where the Netherlands were grouped with the hosts, Scotland, and San Marino.[54] He scored a crucial goal in a 2–0 win over Scotland, doubling the lead with a strike past goalkeeper Jordan Archer, and netted another in the 1–1 draw against Italy, tying him as top scorer in the group with two goals from two appearances.[55][56] Despite these efforts, the Netherlands accumulated five points from the group but finished second behind Italy on goal difference, failing to qualify for the finals in Romania.[57] His performances in friendlies during this period also earned recognition, as he emerged as the leading scorer in several preparatory matches, underscoring his consistency and importance to the team's attacking line.[54]

Netherlands U21 career

Castaignos made his debut for the Netherlands U21 team on 10 August 2011, starting in a 3–0 friendly victory over Sweden, where he played the full 90 minutes without scoring.[58] Building on his prolific goal-scoring record at the U19 level, he featured in three matches that year during 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying, accumulating 166 minutes but no goals.[58] In 2013, Castaignos returned to the U21 squad after an absence and became a key contributor, scoring five goals across six qualifying matches for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[58] Notable performances included a hat-trick in a 6–0 away win against Georgia on 10 October and a goal in a 2–2 draw with Slovakia on 14 November.[59][58] He was included in the squad for the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Israel but received limited minutes, remaining an unused substitute as the Netherlands exited the group stage following a 3–2 win over Germany, a 5–1 victory against Russia, and a 1–5 defeat to Spain.[60][58] Castaignos earned his final U21 call-ups in 2014 amid strong form at club level with FC Twente, appearing in six qualifying matches for the 2015 tournament and scoring once in a 3–1 win over Luxembourg on 3 June.[58] Overall, he accumulated 15 caps and six goals for the U21 side through October 2014, but the Netherlands failed to qualify for the 2015 finals, and Castaignos never progressed to the senior national team.[58]

Professional attributes

Playing style and positions

Luc Castaignos primarily operated as a centre-forward throughout his career, though he demonstrated versatility by occasionally featuring on the left or right wing, leveraging his ability to cut inside from wide areas.[7] Standing at 1.88 meters tall, his physical presence aided him in aerial duels, where he proved dominant despite occasional inconsistencies in this aspect later in his career.[11] His strengths included clinical finishing with both feet, effective hold-up play as a focal point for attacks through short passes and intelligent movement off the ball, and explosive pace that allowed him to exploit spaces behind defenses, particularly evident in his youth.[11] However, Castaignos struggled with consistency at the highest levels, often hampered by a proneness to injuries—including multiple muscle tears, ligament issues, and other setbacks that sidelined him for extended periods across several seasons.[40][11] Often compared to Thierry Henry for his fluid, athletic style and rapid acceleration, Castaignos evolved tactically from a poacher-like finisher in his youth—who thrived on deep balls and direct runs—to a more team-oriented forward involved in build-up play and chance creation.[11][5] This adaptation was highlighted during his time at FC Twente, where he scored 13 goals in 38 appearances in the 2012-13 season while contributing through positional sense and short-range passing.[11]

Career statistics and records

Luc Castaignos amassed over 320 appearances and 80 goals in his senior professional career across leagues, domestic cups, and European competitions.[21] His contributions were most prolific during his time at FC Twente, where he established himself as a consistent goal scorer in the Eredivisie. Internationally at youth level, he earned more than 35 caps and scored nearly 20 goals for Netherlands sides.[4] The following table summarizes his senior club statistics, including all competitions:
ClubAppearancesGoals
Feyenoord4215
Inter Milan81
FC Twente11442
Eintracht Frankfurt225
Sporting CP160
Vitesse (loan)363
Gyeongnam FC346
OFI Crete243
1. FC Magdeburg275
Total32380
For Netherlands youth teams, Castaignos recorded 36 caps and 19 goals overall. He featured prominently for the U21 side with 15 appearances and 6 goals, while earlier contributing 13 goals across U17, U19, and U20 levels, including standout performances in UEFA youth tournaments.[7][4] Among his notable records, Castaignos became Feyenoord's youngest-ever goal scorer in the Eredivisie at age 17 years and 11 months, netting against Utrecht on 29 August 2010. At Twente, his most productive season came in 2013–14, when he scored 14 goals in 31 league appearances alone.[61]

Personal life

Citizenship and family

Castaignos holds dual citizenship of the Netherlands and France, stemming from his father's French birth in Les Landes, France.[7][62] Despite this eligibility, he represented the Netherlands at various youth international levels rather than pursuing opportunities with France. Born in Schiedam to a French father, Jean-Luc Castaignos, and a mother of Cape Verdean descent who holds an Italian passport, his family relocated to the Netherlands in October 1990, two years prior to his birth.[62] Castaignos is married to Phylicia Castaignos and the couple has two children: a son named Luciano and a daughter named Gigi.[63] Throughout his professional career, the family provided support during key transitions, including moves abroad for club commitments. His parents played a role in his early development, with the family settling in the Netherlands to facilitate his youth football opportunities. Castaignos has engaged in charity initiatives focused on youth in Rotterdam, notably participating in a 2011 spinning marathon alongside teammate Ron Vlaar to raise funds for the Stichting Luna Sluiter Foundation, which supports improved care for children with brain tumors.[64] His residences shifted from the Netherlands, where he grew up and began his career, to Germany during his tenure with 1. FC Magdeburg from 2023 to 2025.[7]

Post-retirement activities

Following his retirement from professional football in February 2025, Castaignos publicly announced his retirement.[65]

References

  1. Luc Castaignos - Player profile - Transfermarkt
  2. Luc Castaignos - Stats by club
  3. List of Luc Castaignos's transfers | BeSoccer
  4. Luc Castaignos - Player Profile & Stats - playmakerstats.com
  5. Dutch spearhead Castaignos on the charge | UEFA Under-17 2009
  6. Interview met voormalig Feyenoord-spits Luc Castaignos - 1908
  7. Luc Castaignos - Player profile | Transfermarkt
  8. De voormalig spits van Feyenoord en Inter die de verwachtingen ...
  9. Feyenoord Rotterdam - Debutants | Transfermarkt
  10. Luc Castaignos - Stats and titles won - Football Database
  11. Player Focus: Luc Castaignos - A Striker Reborn - WhoScored.com
  12. Luc Castaignos - Transfer history
  13. 2011 Transfer Window: Grading Inter's Summer Acquisitions
  14. Gasperini's ill-fated Inter spell - Football Italia
  15. Luc Castaignos - Detailed stats - Transfermarkt
  16. Siena 0-1 Inter Milan (Nov 27, 2011) Final Score - ESPN
  17. Luc Castaignos: The Solution To Inter's Slump? - SB Nation
  18. Former Inter Milan Striker Luc Castaignos: “I Was At Nerazzurri At ...
  19. Twente snap up Castaignos from Inter | UEFA Europa League 2012/13
  20. Twente capture Castaignos | Football News - Sky Sports
  21. Luc Castaignos - Career stats | Transfermarkt
  22. Luc Castaignos to Swansea City: Swans agree £6.5m fee for FC ...
  23. 2014-2015 Twente Stats, Eredivisie - FBref.com
  24. FC Twente banned from Europe for three years over transfers - BBC
  25. Luc Castaignos - Transfer history
  26. Eintracht Frankfurt sign Twente Enschede's Luc Castaignos
  27. Frankfurt capture Castaignos | beIN SPORTS
  28. Eintracht Frankfurt - The Moody Diva | FM Scout
  29. Luc Castaignos - Career stats - Transfermarkt
  30. Luc Castaignos Joins Sporting - Eintracht Frankfurt Pros
  31. Sporting Lisbon sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Luc Castaignos - ESPN
  32. Sporting SAD statement: Luc Castaignos | Sporting Clube de Portugal
  33. Luc Castaignos - Detailed stats
  34. https://www.football-oranje.com/vitesse-confirm-castaignos-loan/
  35. Luc Castaignos - Detailed stats
  36. 2017-2018 Vitesse Stats, Eredivisie - FBref.com
  37. COMUNICADO SPORTING CLUBE DE PORTUGAL – FUTEBOL, SAD
  38. Gyeongnam FC sign Dutch striker Luc Castaignos
  39. Luc Castaignos - Injury history - Transfermarkt
  40. Preview: Gyeongnam FC vs Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
  41. Castaignos continues his career in Greece - Football Oranje
  42. 1. FC Magdeburg announce signing of Luc Castaignos
  43. Luc Castaignos - stats, career and market value - FotMob
  44. Luc Castaignos - Detailed stats | Transfermarkt
  45. Luxembourg-Netherlands | UEFA Under-17 2009
  46. Netherlands come through Croatia showdown | UEFA Under-17 2009
  47. Castaignos double downs Poland | UEFA Under-19 2010
  48. Three wins give Netherlands Group 9 supremacy - UEFA.com
  49. Profile Luc Castaignos, : Info, news, matches and statistics | BeSoccer
  50. Table of top scorers European U19 Championship qualifying 2011
  51. https://www.gettyimages.ca/photos/netherlands-v-u-scotland-uefa-under-european-championship
  52. U19 EURO Qualifiers 2010/2011 - worldfootball.net
  53. Luc Castaignos - National team
  54. Castaignos stars as Netherlands dispatch Georgia | UEFA Under-21 ...
  55. Netherlands U21 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship ...
  56. Feyenoord Rotterdam - Youngest goal scorers | Transfermarkt
  57. Luc Castaignos - Ethnicity of Celebs | EthniCelebs.com
  58. https://gilukids.com/pages/about
  59. Stichting Luna Sluiter - Facebook
  60. After more than 15 years as a professional footballer, Luc ...
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