Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman from Atalanta in a transfer valued at £30.3 million, strengthening their attacking options ahead of the business end of the season.
Ademola Lookman, 28, who was born in London, arrives in Spain after an impressive spell in Serie A, where he scored 55 goals and provided 27 assists since joining Atalanta from RB Leipzig in 2022.
Lookman cemented his place in the club’s history in 2024 when he scored a stunning hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, leading Atalanta to their first-ever European trophy. His standout performances that year earned him the African Footballer of the Year award, and he was the only African player named on the men’s Ballon d’Or shortlist, finishing 14th.
Although he represented England at the youth level and was part of the Under-20 World Cup-winning squad in 2017, Lookman committed his international future to Nigeria and made his senior debut for the Super Eagles in 2022.
Atletico Madrid, currently third in La Liga and ten points behind leaders Barcelona, confirmed on Monday that they had reached an agreement with Atalanta. The club later announced that Lookman has signed a contract running until June 2030, with the deal finalised on transfer deadline day.
Lookman began his professional career at Charlton Athletic, making his first-team debut in 2015. He moved to Everton in 2017 and made an immediate impact by scoring on his Premier League debut.
After a successful loan spell, he joined RB Leipzig permanently in July 2019. Further loan stints at Fulham and Leicester City followed before his move to Italy, where his career reached new heights.
As he departs Bergamo, Lookman paid an emotional tribute to Atalanta and their supporters in a farewell message.
He said, “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.
“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, and 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, and 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.”