Albert-Mboyo Sambi Lokonga (born 22 October 1999) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for club Hamburger SV and the Belgium national team.
Sambi Lokonga came through Anderlecht's youth academy and made his senior debut with the club in 2017, aged 18. In 2021, he made a £17.2 million switch to Premier League side Arsenal, where he embarked on three further loan moves to Crystal Palace, Luton Town, and Sevilla, during the 2022−23, 2023−24, and 2024−25 campaigns, respectively.
Club career Anderlecht Having first joined their youth academy in 2010, Sambi Lokonga signed his first professional contract with Anderlecht on 10 November 2017. He made his professional debut for Anderlecht in a 1–0 Belgian First Division A win over Eupen on 22 December 2017. In November 2019, Sambi Lokonga extended his contract with the club until 2023. On 27 September 2020, he scored the first goal of his senior career as Anderlecht drew 1–1 with Eupen.
Arsenal On 19 July 2021, Sambi Lokonga signed a long-term contract with English club Arsenal after completing an approximately £17.2 million transfer. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was impressed with Sambi Lokonga, citing his intelligence and maturity for a young player. Sambi Lokonga made his debut in a 2−0 away loss against Brentford. During his first season at Arsenal he featured in the Amazon Original sports docuseries All or Nothing: Arsenal, which followed the club's progress during their campaign.
Loan to Crystal Palace
On 31 January 2023, fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace announced the signing of Sambi Lokonga on a short-term loan deal until the end of the 2022−23 season. He made his debut for the club on 4 February, coming on as a substitute for Will Hughes in a 2–1 away loss to Manchester United.
Loan to Luton Town On the final day of the Summer transfer window, Sambi Lokonga joined newly promoted Premier League side Luton Town on a season-long loan. He made his debut for the club on 16 September in a 1–0 loss against Fulham at Craven Cottage; he started the match and played 75 minutes before being substituted. In his second game he picked up a hamstring injury and did not play for three months. Upon returning, he became a regular in the side's midfield; club manager Rob Edwards regularly praised Sambi Lokonga for his stand-out performances in a struggling team. Although the club was eventually relegated to the Championship, his loan at Luton Town was largely seen as successful.
Loan to Sevilla On 15 July 2024, Sambi Lokonga joined La Liga side Sevilla on a season-long loan deal.
Hamburger SV On 1 September 2025, Sambi Lokonga moved to Germany and joined Bundesliga side Hamburger SV on a permanent fee worth €3,000,000.
International career Having previously played for Belgium at Belgium U17, Belgium U19 and Belgium U21 levels, Sambi Lokonga was called up to the senior Belgium squad in March 2021. He made his debut on 2 September 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against Estonia, a 5–2 away victory. He was introduced as a substitute for Eden Hazard in the 74th minute.
Personal life Sambi Lokonga was born in Verviers, Belgium and is of Congolese descent; his brother Paul-José M'Poku is also a professional footballer. He can speak several languages at different levels of fluency, these include English, French, Spanish, Dutch and Ngala.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAnderlecht2017–18Belgian Pro League7000—00702018–19Belgian Pro League6000—20802019–20Belgian Pro League23030——2602020–21Belgian Pro League33340——373Total69370—20783Arsenal2021–22Premier League1901040—2402022–23Premier League602010601502023–24Premier League00–––002024–25Premier League00–––002025–26Premier League00–––00Total250305060390Crystal Palace (loan)2022–23Premier League90———90Luton Town (loan)2023–24Premier League1712000—191Sevilla (loan)2024–25La Liga22010——230Hamburger SV2025–26Bundesliga25500——2552026–27Bundesliga3010——40Total28510——295Career total170914050801979
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsBelgium202110202410Total20
References
External links
Profile at the Arsenal F.C. website