Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has hinted at the possibility of handing new signing Ademola Lookman his debut on Thursday (today) when the club faces Real Betis in the last quarter-final match of this season’s Copa del Rey, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Lookman joined Atletico on Monday in a four-year deal worth €40m (€35m + €5m add-ons) and began training on Tuesday, just two days before the match.
He arrived alongside two other winter signings, Rodri Mendoza from Elche and Obed Vargas from Seattle Sounders, but the manager spoke highly of the 2024 African Player of the Year during the pre-match conference.
“Three important players arrived, of which we’re going to need them and we’ll work together to finish the season in the best way possible,” Simeone said via Spidy Atletico.
“He (Lookman) joined the group very quickly, and you could immediately notice his physical strength, his speed, his ability to change the play, and his power in the final third.
“We hope he can help us in the way he believes he can, and in the way we expect. And obviously, that important partnerships are formed for the good of the team, because that’s what it’s about: bringing good players together.”
Simeone and his men find themselves at arguably their lowest point of the current campaign. Atlético are 10 points behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona, and they will have to play a Champions League play-off tie against Club Brugge in a couple of weeks just to stay in the competition.
The Copa del Rey is realistically Atleti’s best shot at silverware this season, but they must first pass the test against Betis.
Lookman was officially presented as the club’s player on Tuesday, taking the number 22 jersey.
“Proud and excited to start this new chapter. I’m happy to join Atlético de Madrid, a massive club with rich history and passion,” he wrote on X.
“New city, new challenges, new energy. I’m ready to give everything on the pitch and fight for these colors every time I step out there.
“Let’s get to work, Aupa.”
The Spanish switch brought an end to his long-running transfer saga with Atalanta.
The 28-year-old spent three-and-a-half seasons in Serie A, scoring 55 goals and providing 27 assists in 137 appearances for the Bergamo club.
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