After a remarkable season in Serie A, Atlético Madrid signs “versatile and dynamic” Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman on a permanent contract from Atalanta.
Atlético Madrid has officially finalized the permanent transfer of Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman from Italian club Atalanta.
“Atlético de Madrid and Atalanta have agreed on the transfer of Ademola Lookman, who has signed for us until June 30, 2030,” the Spanish La Liga club said on its website.
The 28-year-old was hailed by the club as “a versatile and dynamic right-footed player” who could play as a second striker or winger on either flank, noting his quickness and dribbling ability.
According to Atlético, Lookman had his medical at the Vithas Invictum High Performance Sports Medicine Centre at Arturo Soria University Hospital in Madrid before reporting to the club’s Riyadh Air Metropolitano headquarters.
“He was greeted by our CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil, and signed his contract with our club.” “Welcome, Lookman,” the statement said.
Lookman, a naturalized Nigerian, was born on October 20, 1997, in Wandsworth, London. He began his football career with Waterloo FC before joining Charlton Athletic, where he made his senior debut on November 3, 2015.
He played for Everton, Leipzig, Fulham, and Leicester City before joining Atalanta in the summer of 2022.
At the Serie A club, Lookman reestablished himself as one of Europe’s top attackers, playing a key role in Atalanta’s first European title, the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League.
In the final, Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3–0, with Lookman scoring all three goals to inflict on the German team their sole loss of the season. During his career with the club, he appeared 137 times, scoring 55 goals and supplying 27 assists.
Lookman, an England youth international, won the Under-20 World Cup with the Three Lions in 2017. He transferred allegiance to Nigeria and made his senior debut on March 25, 2022, eventually earning 41 caps and 11 goals.
Following the announcement, Lookman sent a heartfelt parting message to Atalanta and their followers on his verified X account.
“To the Atalanta family, after nearly four years, it is time for me to say farewell. “From the moment I arrived in Bergamo, you welcomed me as one of your own and pushed me to be the best version of myself,” he wrote.
“Together, we created history. European champions, a night we’ll never forget. Scoring a hat trick in a European final and winning a trophy with this club after a 61-year drought will live with me. Winning the Africa Player of the Year award in 2024 as an Atalanta player will live with me forever. Those moments, those emotions, those nights under the lights are forever etched in my heart.
“Thank you to my teammates, staff, and the club. To the fans, your enthusiasm, belief, and energy were everything. You have always supported me and this squad. Your enthusiasm, voices, and beliefs never wavered, and we achieved together.
“Every cheer, flag, and away trip meant something. Thank you for making Bergamo seem like home and providing me with memories that I will cherish forever. Grazie, ciao.”
