Once regarded as our "Super-sub", the enigmatic Congolese forward was sick of warming the bench at St James' Park and wanted to move on,
However, he hhas scored only two goals in the past year and has spent long spells on the treatment table, starting only 10 first-team games this season, and he is desperate for a return to action.
Ex-Toon Striker Wants Return
Just two days after Pompey had beaten Manchester United the 26-year-old was pushed into action in a 4-2 defeat at Watford and he had a stinker.
He will be back on the substitutes' bench at Aston Villa on Sunday after coming in for particular criticism from his manager, who angrily substituted him at Vicarage Road.
Despite questions about his long-term future with the club, LuaLua insists he wants to stay at Fratton Park and claims he has turned down a major offer from Qatar.
Signed for £1.7million from the Magpies three years ago, the striker looks to be at the crossroads in his career.
Lua Lua: "I had a chance to move but I want to stay here and be part of the good things that will happen at this great club.
"People from Qatar have contacted the club, I know that. The first time was during the African Nations Cup last year. I'm not interested, though. This is where I want to be.
"It's not about money. I have played in the Champions League and want to do that again with this club.
"I was blamed for Watford and if I didn't contribute that's fine, I put my hands up and accept the criticism. But it's not just one person - there are 11 out there playing.
"I am a human being and some of the things being said are not nice. They say I am just happy to sit on my contract. It hurts me.
"My destiny is in my own hands. I have a two-year contract and want to earn another one. To do that, I must perform.
"I'm not finished yet, I'm still young and know I can play football. There are four games still to go for me this season. I've got to carry on hoping things change."
2001/2004 L.Lua Lua 19/67 8 Big money signing from Colchester United as a teenager, £2.25m. Tall and 'Leggy', and made more of an impact in matches coming on as substitute ... bit like Temuri Ketsbaia. Constantly refered to by SKY TV as taking 37 games to score his first goal, but add together all of those sub appearances and you'd be lucky to make 5 full games. Lost patience trying to establish himself and went on loan to Portsmouth in 2004, insisting he wanted to sign for them. Scored a late goal AGAINST Newcastle that cost them a Champions League place, and had everyone asking "Why was he allowed to play against his own team?". Signed for Portsmouth in the summer of 2004.