Romelu Lukaku is one of Sporting Anderlecht’s most promising young players. The 16-year-old striker signed his first professional contract with RSCA - one of his most precious football memories, for that matter - and is also present at the summer training session in Austria this week. RSCA.be had a conversation with the forward, who combines football and school.

Successfully, by the way, as Lukaku took his exams well. “I am taking reception PR and my exams went very well. I obtained an A certificate and am allowed to pass on to the next grade”, he said. “Anderlecht have a cooperation agreement with the sni, as a result of which I am allowed to miss two classes a day for three days a week - Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Because of this, I can train during the day.” Lukaku is the first Purple Talents player to make it to the A-team. “I want to finish secondary education as soon as possible, so that I can graduate. Afterwards I think that I am going to do everything within my power to succeed in football.”

Romelu Lukaku came to Anderlecht when he was 13. “When I was six, I started to play football at Rupel Boom, who play in third division now. I chose Sporting when I was 13, because it is Belgium’s greatest team, because they have a good youth training programme and because I was allowed to play with a higher age group. This was a real challenge for me.” For that matter, he is not the only Lukaku at RSCA. His younger brother Jordan also plays at Sporting’s youth. “Jordan is almost 15 years old, he plays left back and he is an offensive player. He is also a Purple Talent.”

His baptism of fire with the A-team took place during the decisive match against Standard, at Sclessin. “I did not expect this at all. I was very happy to be part of the selection, but I never thought I would be a substitute”, said the striker. “But I was not nervous at all. I just told myself to go for it, as I worked very hard to get where I am today. I really want to play more matches now, after having played such a top game. And despite of the fact that we lost the title back then, it is a wonderful memory for me.” The most beautiful memory in his - fresh - career? “One of my most precious memories, yes, together with the day when I signed my first professional contract with RSCA”, he said.

Despite of the fact that he played his first minutes against Standard and that he is taking part in the training session, Lukaku will not completely be part of the A-team this season. “I think it is very good what the club is doing to me”, said the forward. “I am young, I am only 16 and still have my entire career ahead of me. If I were to move too fast now and burn up, it would be bad for me and the people who did everything within their power to get me where I am today.”

The striker is hoping to play a few minutes this season, but he is not impatient at all. “Of course, I want to play with the A-team this season, but I am not going to make a fuss. The coach is the one who decides and he will see whether I am ready or not”, said the forward, who can also be an offensive midfielder. “Most of the time, I am centre forward or second striker, I like both positions and do not really have a preference. Another option is to be an attacking midfielder, but that does not happen too often. But I will play where the coach needs me.”

English teams showed interest in Lukaku, but he chose to stay with Sporting somewhat longer. “England is the top, but Anderlecht has done a great deal to my advantage in the past, as far as school and transportation to training are concerned. My personal development with respect to tactics and technique will profit from staying here. A few years later on, I can reevaluate my situation, but I am feeling well now and I just want to stay here and break through.”