Lukaku posted a message on Instagram shortly after the move was finalised: "Dear Napoli, thank you for making me feel at home! Thank you for believing in me at a time when I had my back against the wall… We did extraordinary things and I will treasure them forever. Forza Napoli sempre."
The 33-year-old leaves having made 45 appearances and scored 15 goals across two seasons in Naples, including the decisive strike against Cagliari that clinched Napoli's fourth Scudetto last May. He also won the Supercoppa Italiana during his time at the club, having marked his Napoli debut with a goal in a comeback win over Parma at the Maradona in August 2024.
His exit follows growing uncertainty over his role under head coach Max Allegri, with the emergence of Rasmus Hojlund and an injury that sidelined him for months this year leaving Lukaku without a guaranteed starting place.
Napoli's finances were also a factor: the club had been carrying an €8.5m-a-season salary for a player no longer viewed as first choice, and agent Federico Pastorello worked to find him a fresh project where he could return to a central attacking role.
Napoli's own statement paid tribute to his contribution, recalling his debut goal and the run to the title, before signing off with a simple message of thanks: "For every ball defended, for every goal scored: thank you, Romelu!"
Fenerbahce won the race for his signature ahead of interest from Saudi Arabia and MLS side Atlanta United, with the Turkish club presenting an offer that satisfied both player and club.
Napoli will receive around €6m plus bonuses for the transfer, while Chelsea, who sold Lukaku to Napoli in 2024, retain a 40% sell-on percentage from any future move. He has signed a one-year deal in Istanbul with an option for a second season worth up to €10m, and was met by a large crowd of supporters on his arrival in Turkey, with sporting director Oguz Cetin confirming the move on the club's behalf.