Atlético Madrid have officially completed the signing of Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman from Italian side Atalanta, sealing a permanent move for the Nigerian star until June 30, 2030.
In a statement on the club’s official website, the Spanish La Liga giants confirmed that both clubs reached an agreement for the transfer, describing Lookman as a “versatile and dynamic” attacker with the ability to operate as a second striker or on either wing.
The 28-year-old completed his medical in Madrid before signing his contract at Atlético’s headquarters at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, where he was received by the club’s Chief Executive Officer, Miguel Ángel Gil.
Born in Wandsworth, London, on October 20, 1997, Lookman is a naturalised Nigerian international who has become one of the country’s most influential football exports in Europe. He began his professional career at Charlton Athletic and later featured for Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham and Leicester City before joining Atalanta in 2022.
His time in Italy marked a major turning point in his career. Lookman emerged as one of Serie A’s standout attackers and etched his name in Atalanta’s history by leading the club to its first-ever continental title. He scored a memorable hat-trick in the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League final as Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3–0, handing the German side their only loss of the season.
Across all competitions, Lookman made 137 appearances for Atalanta, scoring 55 goals and providing 27 assists, performances that also earned him the 2024 Africa Player of the Year award while still at the Italian club.
Originally an England youth international and a member of the Three Lions’ Under-20 World Cup-winning squad in 2017, Lookman switched allegiance to Nigeria in 2022. Since making his Super Eagles debut in March of that year, he has earned 41 caps and scored 11 goals, becoming a key figure in Nigeria’s attacking line.
Following the announcement, Lookman paid an emotional tribute to Atalanta and their supporters, thanking the club for what he described as a defining chapter of his career and for making Bergamo feel like home.
For Nigerian football fans, the move represents another major milestone, as Lookman joins one of Europe’s biggest clubs ahead of crucial international competitions, with expectations high that his form in Spain will further boost the Super Eagles’ attacking strength.
