Werder Bremen's former striker Maik Lukowicz is flourishing in the Netherlands

Maik Lukowicz has had an eventful career. Although the Bremen native scored goals like a slew of goals throughout his football career, he eluded a professional breakthrough in Germany. With his move to the Dutch second division, this now appears to be changing.

After the third matchday of the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, the Bremen native was asked for an interview by the media team of our neighboring country's second-highest league. The 30-year-old had just scored his third goal of the season in his club Helmond Sport's 2-0 win over FC Emmen. Now, the 30-year-old stood beaming in front of an advertising wall and was asked by the reporter where he had played in recent years.

Lukowicz had to laugh heartily. He was a "secret talent," the striker joked, before adding, half seriously and half jokingly, "I'm like an old wine. The older I get, the better I get." This statement wasn't entirely true, as the former Polish youth international has also impressively demonstrated his goalscoring prowess in Germany in recent years, playing in leagues three to five.

But now, already in the early autumn of his career, he's finally making a splash in higher-flight football. The move to the province of North Brabant seems poised to be a real career booster for the always cheerful striker, who previously played for Werder Bremen's reserves in the fourth division.

Lukowicz returned to his boyhood club around two years ago. Werder Bremen's reserves had just missed out on relegation from the Regionalliga and now had to fight for points in the fifth-tier Bremen-Liga. Lukowicz, who had previously played for Teutonia 05 Ottensen in Hamburg, VfB Oldenburg, Eintracht Braunschweig II, and Hansa Rostock, was thus back in the uniform of his boyhood club. He trained at Osterdeich from 2001 to 2014 before seeking his fortune further afield.

Now, Werder Bremen's second city league. Matches against after-work players. In front of a few hundred spectators – at most. A dreary football routine, even compared to the not always particularly exciting matches he'd played before in the Teutonia jersey. But the 30-year-old accepted the challenge. More than that. He flourished in his role as "dad of the team." Lukowicz scored no fewer than 50 goals in the 2023/2024 season – an absolute record in all German fifth divisions.

Even in the higher leagues, Werder Bremen could rely on the striker's goals. He found the net 16 times in the last season. A statistic that spread. Even as far as the Netherlands. Even as far as Helmond. The second-division club based there cast its line for Lukowicz – and the 30-year-old took the bait. It was a heavy heart, though. Werder and Bremen held a special place in his life.

"A special chapter is coming to an end – and a new one is beginning. After two intensive years at my youth club, Werder Bremen, I look back on many goals, successes, and unforgettable moments," Lukowicz wrote on his Instagram account. Lines filled with a great deal of sadness. But the emotionally touched, cheerful personality also immediately looked ahead: "Now I'm really looking forward to the new challenge at Helmond Sport in the Netherlands – with new goals, new energy, and great anticipation."

For the Bremen native, who had previously played primarily in the Regionalliga and scored 91 goals in 202 fourth-division appearances, this marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life. The 30-year-old had already made a living from football, but now he was officially playing for a professional team. Lukowicz signed a one-year contract with Helmond, with an option for a further season.

He is one of 15 new signings at the second-division club, which has yet to find its stride due to major personnel changes. They have won only two of their seven league matches. Last Saturday, they suffered another setback, losing 3-1 to Vitesse Arnhem.

At least: Lukowicz scored his fourth goal of the season from the penalty spot to give the team a 1-0 lead in just his seventh appearance. And the crowd of 24,539 at the Gelsenkirchen Dome was a completely different experience for the Bremen native than what he was used to during his time at Werder II.

The move to the Netherlands has paid off so far for the man with the built-in goal guarantee. "I'm enjoying the moment," the 30-year-old told the league channel. The attacker already enjoys cult status among the fans (Lukowicz: "They're totally crazy") – partly because he celebrates every goal so emotionally.

The question remains whether the longtime Werder player, who was denied a professional start in Bremen, will be able to stay with Helmond for long if he continues scoring like this. Thoughts the striker isn't (yet) considering. His career has taught him humility. "I know where I come from. I haven't had such good seasons either. That's why I'm trying to keep working hard," said the man who two years ago was still scoring goals in the fifth division against clubs like Komet Arsten and Aumund-Vegesack.

• Bundesliga
• Werder Bremen
• football