Atlético Madrid have completed the signing of Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman from Italian side Atalanta, sealing a long-term deal that will keep the 28-year-old at the Spanish club until 30 June 2030.
The LaLiga club confirmed that an agreement had been reached with Atalanta for the transfer of the versatile attacker, who will wear the red and white colours for the remainder of this season and the next four.
Lookman concluded the move after passing his medical examination in Madrid and formalising personal terms with Atlético’s chief executive, Miguel Ángel Gil, at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Born in Wandsworth, London, on 20 October 1997 and later naturalised as a Nigerian international, Lookman arrives in Spain with a reputation forged across several top European leagues. A right-footed forward capable of operating as a second striker or on either wing, he is known for his speed, close control and ability to exploit space in transition.
Lookman began his professional career at Charlton Athletic, making his senior debut in 2015, before joining Everton. Further spells at RB Leipzig, Fulham and Leicester City followed, each contributing to his development as a forward comfortable across different tactical systems. His career reached new heights after joining Atalanta in the summer of 2022.
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During his time in Bergamo, Lookman established himself as one of Serie A’s most decisive attackers. He played a central role in Atalanta’s historic triumph in the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League, scoring a remarkable hat-trick in the final as the Italian side defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3–0 to secure the club’s first-ever continental title. In total, he made 137 appearances for Atalanta, scoring 55 goals and registering 27 assists.
On the international stage, Lookman represented England at the youth level and was part of the squad that won the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 2017. He switched allegiance to Nigeria in 2022 and has since become an important figure for the Super Eagles, earning 41 caps and scoring 11 goals. He was also among Nigeria’s standout performers at the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Atlético Madrid, currently balancing domestic ambitions with European commitments, see Lookman as a key addition to Diego Simeone’s squad. With his blend of pace, ingenuity and finishing quality, the Nigerian forward adds an attacking dimension to a team renowned for its tactical discipline as Atlético continue their pursuit of success in LaLiga and the Champions League.
