Atletico Madrid have made a significant addition to their squad by signing Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman from Atalanta in a deal valued at £30.3 million. This acquisition not only strengthens their attacking options but also marks a notable achievement in Lookman’s career, as he becomes the first English-born player to have participated in the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A, and La Liga.
Lookman’s transition through various top European leagues is quite impressive. In total, just 21 players have had the opportunity to showcase their talents across all of these leagues, but only three – Christian Poulsen, Justin Kluivert, and Stevan Jovetic – have managed to play in all five of Europe’s “big five” leagues, which also includes France’s Ligue 1.
The 28-year-old forward, who hails from London, has been making waves in Serie A since 2022, where he has flourished as a pivotal player for Atalanta. Over his time in Italy, he has scored an impressive 55 goals and provided 27 assists, showcasing his ability to both score and create opportunities for his teammates. Among his numerous achievements, Lookman notably scored a sensational hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen in 2024, a match that secured his club’s first European trophy, cementing his status as a key figure in Atalanta’s recent history.
Lookman’s accomplishments have not gone unnoticed on the international stage. In 2024, he was honored as the African Footballer of the Year and made history by being the only African player shortlisted for the men’s Ballon d’Or that year, where he finished an impressive 14th. His journey in international football began when he represented England at youth level, attaining success by winning the Under-20 World Cup in 2017. However, it wasn’t long before he made the switch to represent Nigeria, earning his first cap in 2022.
Atletico Madrid, currently positioned third in Spain’s top flight, is strategically looking to bolster their squad as they seek to close the gap on leaders Barcelona, who are ahead by ten points. The announcement of Lookman’s signing was made on Monday, with confirmation that he has put pen to paper on a contract that runs until June 2030 on transfer deadline day.
Before his illustrious stint in Serie A, Lookman began his professional career at Charlton Athletic, making his debut in 2015. Just two years later, he signed with Everton, where he scored on his Premier League debut, showcasing his potential early on. After an impressive loan spell, Lookman made a permanent move to RB Leipzig in July 2019, furthering his development. He also went on to have season-long loans with Fulham and Leicester City, which ultimately paved the way for his successful transfer to Italy, where he has become a standout player.
World of sports 
Leave a comment