Ademola Lookman joins Atlético Madrid on long-term deal until 2030

Atlético Madrid have officially completed the signing of Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman from Atalanta, securing the versatile attacker on a long-term contract that runs until 30 June 2030.

The LaLiga club confirmed the transfer after Lookman successfully passed his medical examination in Madrid and finalised personal terms with Atlético’s chief executive, Miguel Ángel Gil, at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. The 28-year-old becomes the latest attacking addition to Diego Simeone’s squad as the club strengthens its options for both domestic and European competition.

Ademola Lookman joins Atletico Madrid

A forward shaped by Europe’s top leagues

Born in Wandsworth, London, on 20 October 1997, Lookman developed his game across multiple elite leagues before arriving in Spain. A right-footed forward capable of playing across the front line, he is equally comfortable as a winger or operating just behind a central striker, offering pace, direct running, and sharp movement in transition.

Lookman began his professional career at Charlton Athletic, making his senior debut in 2015 before earning a move to Everton. His journey continued with RB Leipzig in Germany, followed by loan spells in the Premier League with Fulham and Leicester City. Each stop added a different dimension to his game, shaping him into a forward well-versed in contrasting tactical demands.

Breakthrough success at Atalanta

His career reached its peak after joining Atalanta in the summer of 2022. In Bergamo, Lookman flourished into one of Serie A’s most decisive attackers, consistently delivering in high-pressure moments.

The defining chapter of his Atalanta spell came in the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League final, where he produced a historic hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen to secure the club’s first-ever continental trophy. The performance cemented his reputation on the European stage and placed him firmly among the most impactful forwards in Italian football.

• Related News: Lookman nets hat-trick as Atalanta end Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten run to win Europa League final

Across two seasons with Atalanta, Lookman made 137 appearances in all competitions, scoring 55 goals and providing 27 assists — numbers that underline both his finishing quality and creative output.

From England youth international to Super Eagles star

At international level, Lookman’s journey has been equally distinctive. He represented England at youth level and was part of the squad that lifted the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 2017.

In 2022, he switched international allegiance to Nigeria, a decision that quickly paid dividends. Since then, he has earned 41 caps for the Super Eagles, scoring 11 goals and becoming a key attacking presence. He was also one of Nigeria’s standout performers during their impressive run at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, further enhancing his profile ahead of this move.

A Simeone-style addition

Atlético Madrid view Lookman as a strategic signing rather than just an attacking luxury. His speed, work rate, and tactical intelligence align closely with Diego Simeone’s demands, while his ability to decide matches in transition adds a new layer to Atlético’s attack.

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With LaLiga challenges and Champions League ambitions running in parallel, the club believe Lookman’s blend of European experience and big-game pedigree will be crucial in the seasons ahead.

As he pulls on the red and white for the first time, Lookman arrives not just as a Europa League hero, but as a forward entering his prime — and ready to take on a new challenge in Spanish football.

SportsLigue