Atlético Madrid have officially confirmed the signing of Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman on a permanent transfer from Italian side Atalanta.
“Atlético de Madrid and Atalanta have agreed on the transfer of Ademola Lookman, who has signed for us until 30 June 2030,” the Spanish La Liga club announced on its website.
The club described the 28 year old as “a versatile and dynamic right footed player” capable of operating as a second striker or as a winger on either flank, highlighting his pace and dribbling ability.
Atlético said Lookman completed his medical at the Vithas Invictum High Performance Sports Medicine Centre at Arturo Soria University Hospital in Madrid before heading to the club offices at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
“There, he was greeted by our Chief Executive Officer, Miguel Ángel Gil, with whom he signed his contract with our club. Welcome, Lookman,” the statement added.
Born on 20 October 1997 in Wandsworth, London, Lookman is a naturalised Nigerian who began his football journey at Waterloo FC before joining Charlton Athletic, where he made his senior debut on 3 November 2015.
He went on to play for Everton, Leipzig, Fulham and Leicester City, before joining Atalanta in the summer of 2022.
At the Serie A club, Lookman re established himself as one of Europe’s leading attackers and played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s first ever continental title, the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League.
In the final, Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3 0, with Lookman scoring all three goals to hand the German side their only defeat of the season. During his time with the club, he made 137 appearances, scoring 55 goals and providing 27 assists.
An England youth international, Lookman won the Under 20 World Cup with the Three Lions in 2017. He switched allegiance to Nigeria and made his senior debut on 25 March 2022, going on to earn 41 caps and score 11 goals.
Following the announcement, Lookman posted an emotional farewell message to Atalanta and their supporters on his verified X account.
“To the Atalanta family , after nearly four years, the time has come for me to say goodbye. From the moment I arrived in Bergamo, you welcomed me like one of your own and pushed me to be the best version of myself,” he wrote.
“Together we made history. European champions, a night none of us will ever forget. Scoring a hat trick in a European final and lifting a trophy with this club after a 61 year trophy drought will stay with me. Winning the Africa Player of the year award in 2024 as an Atalanta player will forever stay with me. Those moments, those emotions, those nights under the lights, they’re engraved in my heart.
“Thank you to my teammates, the staff, the club. To the fans, your passion, your belief, your energy meant everything. From day one, you stood by me and by this team through every moment. Your passion, your voices, your belief never faded and together we achieved.
“Every cheer, every banner, every away trip meant something. Thank you for making Bergamo feel like home and for giving me memories I’ll carry forever. Grazie di tutto, ciao.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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