With early loan spells, concerns over consistency, and career setbacks, the struggle of Nigerian superstar Ademola Lookman, from the English minnows side Charlton Athletic to the Spanish giant Atletico Madrid depicted a landmark story of resilience and development, materialised into stardom in European football.
Despite initial doubts, the 2024 African Best Player transformed into one of Italian most fearful attackers, before securing a super–signing deal with Atletico.
Consistency, Challenges, Uprising
Born to Nigerian parents in Wandsworth of Great London on 20 October 1997, Lookman joined Charlton’s academy in 2014 after signing from Waterloo, a youth football club based in the London Borough of Lambeth.
His brilliance and ruthlessness in front of goal aided his rapid transition from the team’s U18 and U2, recording his senior debut in 2015, where he commanded immediate attention with his direct dribbling and goal–scoring ability.
Lookman registered his first goal for Charlton during a 3–2 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, following it up with a brace in an encounter with Bolton Wanderers that ended in a 2–2 draw ten days after entering his debut goal.
On 5 January 2017, the Nigerian superstar completed a four-and-a-half-year contract to Everton for a fee reported as an initial £7.5 million, potentially rising to £11 million with add-ons. Registering his first appearance ten days after joining Everton during a 4–0 clash against Manchester City, Lookman replaced Ross Barkley in the 90th minute and sealed the team’s victory with the fourth goal.
The Nigerian winger made his first European appearance for Everton during an Europa League match against MFK Ruzomberok in the first leg of third qualifying round, where the match ended 1–0 in favour of Lookman’s side.
Despite the Everton head coach’s promises that Lookman would not leave the club on loan in the January 2018 transfer window, Sam Allardyce’s Everton eventually arranged Lookman’s loan move to Championship’s side Derby County, where they hoped he would play regular first-team football.
However, the Nigerian star looked in the other direction, and instead joined a Bundesliga German club RB Leipzig for the rest of 2017/2018 season. It only took Lookman a first appearance to score the winning goal in the away game against Borussia Mönchengladbach after coming on as a late substitute, before Leipzig finally signed him on a five–year contract in July 2019.
In 2021, Lookman returned to England on a season-long loan at Fulham, and later joined Leicester City in the following year. He registered his debut as a 73rd–minute substitute to Leicester during a 1–0 defeat to Manchester City. In December, Lookman scored a lone goal to hand a 1–0 victory to his side against Liverpool.
Despite the early impressive stats, first–team chances and starting opportunities became challenging.
Historic Years in Atalanta
Lookman’s move to a Serie–A side Atalanta in August 2022 for a reported €15 million was the catalyst in attaining his career’s height.
Before he left Italy, he wrote his name among the successful players who played in the team. In 137 appearances for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, Lookman produced a 77 goal contribution; 55 goals and 27 assists.
The Nigerian talisman played a heroic role in Atalanta’s 2024 Europa League campaign, where Lookman recorded a historic hat–trick to hand the trophy to his side, bringing Bayer Leverkusen’s 51–game unbeaten run to an end.
Lookman’s three goals during the dramatic Europa League final delivered a first–ever European trophy to Atalanta.
The spell Lookman enjoyed during the 2023/2024 season earned him remarkable individual recognitions: winning the African Footballer of the Year and finishing in 14th position in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
With a reported deal worth €35 million, plus €5 million in add-ons on 2 February 2026, Lookman completed a major transfer to Atlético Madrid, signing a four–year contract with the Spanish giant until 2030.
Recognised for his pace, versatility in the front line, and ability to exploit opportunities, Lookman is expected to add to Diego Someone’s Atletico threat in their pursuit campaign for La Liga and Champions League glory.