Ademola Lookman

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Lookman’s integration into Gian Piero Gasperini’s system was immediate. He made his debut on August 13, 2022, and scored his first goal for the club eight days later in a 1–1 draw against AC Milan. He then caught fire in January 2023, scoring braces in consecutive matches against Salernitana and Spezia, followed by a goal in a dramatic 3–3 draw with Juventus. His ability to operate across the front line provided crucial width and creativity. The narrative of his time at Atalanta is defined by that singular night in Dublin on May 22, 2024, where he netted all three goals in the 3–0 final victory. Beyond the goals, his impact was so profound that he earned a Ballon d'Or nomination on September 4, 2024, becoming the first current Atalanta player to receive such an honor. However, the journey wasn't without tension; after a Champions League elimination by Club Brugge, Gasperini publicly criticized Lookman for a penalty miss in the second leg, calling him 'one of the worst penalty takers' he had ever seen.

In Their Own Story

It was a match that would rewrite history. Lookman, starting as a winger, found space and struck first to break the deadlock. As the game progressed, his confidence grew. In the second half, he scored again, sending the traveling fans into raptures. The third goal sealed it: a completed hat-trick in a one-legged final, a feat not seen since Pierino Prati in 1969. The whistle blew, confirming a 3–0 scoreline that ended Leverkusen’s 51-game unbeaten run and handed Atalanta their first major European trophy. In the aftermath, Lookman was named African Footballer of the Year, becoming only the seventh Nigerian to win the award. Yet, football is cyclical; months later, in a crucial Champions League tie against Club Brugge, he missed a penalty that contributed to Atalanta's elimination, drawing sharp criticism from his boss.

Reader's Guide

Lookman joined Atalanta on August 4, 2022, for a reported fee of €15 million. His role was fluid; while naturally a left winger, he played as a second striker or central attacking midfielder depending on the tactical need. He thrived in tight spaces, using feints and body movement to burst past defenders. His statistical peak included scoring his first career hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final. Fans should note that despite his goal-scoring prowess, he faced specific criticism regarding penalty taking from manager Gasperini following a Champions League exit against Club Brugge. His tenure also saw him nominated for the Ballon d'Or in September 2024, a first for any current Atalanta player. He departed the club in February 2026 to join Atlético Madrid, leaving behind a legacy of historic achievements and individual brilliance.

Did You Know?

• Lookman became the first player since Pierino Prati in 1969 to score a hat-trick in a one-legged Men's European final.
• He scored his first goal for Atalanta on August 21, 2022, in a 1–1 draw against AC Milan.
• In January 2023, he scored braces against Salernitana and Spezia, then added a goal in a 3–3 draw with Juventus.
• Lookman was the first current Atalanta player to receive a Ballon d'Or nomination on September 4, 2024.
• He secured his place as the seventh Nigerian international to win the African Footballer of the Year award.

Early Life and Academic Foundations

Ademola Lookman was born on October 20, 1997, in Wandsworth, Greater London, to Nigerian parents of Yoruba origin. Before his football career took center stage, he demonstrated remarkable academic discipline at St Thomas the Apostle College in Nunhead. There, he achieved three A* grades and five As in his GCSEs. His talent was first nurtured at Waterloo, a youth club in the London Borough of Lambeth. In 2014, he joined the Charlton Athletic academy, where his goalscoring record for the U18 and U21 teams propelled him rapidly through the ranks.

The English Club Journey and Loan Adventures

Lookman made his senior debut for Charlton Athletic on November 3, 2015. He scored his first goal in a 3–2 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on December 5, 2015, and followed it with both of his team's goals in a 2–2 draw against Bolton Wanderers ten days later. In January 2017, he signed for Everton for an initial £7.5 million (potentially rising to £11 million). He debuted ten days later, scoring the fourth goal in a 4–0 win over Manchester City. Unable to secure regular first-team football at Everton, he rejected a loan to Derby County and moved to RB Leipzig instead. After returning permanently to Leipzig on July 25, 2019, he was loaned to Fulham for the 2020–21 season, scoring his first league goal against Sheffield United. In August 2021, he joined Leicester City on loan, where he scored a crucial winner against Liverpool on December 28.

European Glory and Historic Achievements at Atalanta

On August 4, 2022, Lookman signed a four-year contract with Atalanta for €15 million. He scored on his debut in a 2–0 win over Sampdoria. In January 2023, he scored braces in three consecutive matches: against Salernitana (8–2), Spezia (5–2 Coppa Italia), and Juventus (3–3). The pinnacle arrived on May 22, 2024, when he scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final, leading Atalanta to a 3–0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen. This made him the first player since 1969 to score a hat-trick in a one-legged Men's European final and ended Leverkusen’s 51-game unbeaten streak. These performances earned him the African Footballer of the Year award. However, his time also saw controversy; after Atalanta lost to Club Brugge in the Champions League, Gasperini criticized his penalty miss.

International Allegiance and National Team Success

Born in England, Lookman represented the country from under-19 to under-21 levels, including scoring three goals at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup as England won the title. Despite early approaches to switch to Nigeria, he initially declined them in 2017 and 2018. In January 2020, he announced a switch to Nigeria, though he stated his desire to represent England remained until FIFA approved his request on February 10, 2022. He made his senior debut for Nigeria on March 25, 2022, against Ghana. He was instrumental in their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations runner-up finish, scoring both goals against Cameroon and the winner against Angola. In 2025, he helped Nigeria secure third place at the AFCON, scoring the winning goal against Tanzania and providing two assists plus a goal against Tunisia.