Spanish club Atletico Madrid announced it has reached an agreement with Italy’s Atalanta to sign their Nigerian player Ademola Lookman on a four-and-a-half-year contract.
The Spanish club stated on its official website that Lookman has signed a contract that will keep him at Atletico Madrid until June 30, 2030.
The Spanish club described its new 28-year-old player as versatile, capable of playing as a second striker, winger, or playmaker, emphasizing that he can play on both flanks thanks to his speed and exceptional dribbling ability.
Lookman began his football career at Waterloo and Charlton Athletic, making his debut with the latter on November 3, 2015. He continued his career playing for clubs including Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham, and Leicester City before joining Atalanta in the summer of 2022. He also won the award for Best African Player in 2025.
Atletico currently sits in third place with 45 points in the Spanish league, nine points behind second-place Real Madrid and ten points behind leaders Barcelona.
Atletico Madrid
Atlético Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1903. Historically considered a symbol of resilience and passion, the club has a rich history of success, including numerous La Liga and Copa del Rey titles, and is known for its intense rivalry with Real Madrid.
Nigerian
Nigeria is a country in West Africa with a rich cultural heritage shaped by diverse ethnic groups like the Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa. Historically, it was home to ancient kingdoms such as the Nri Kingdom and the Benin Empire before becoming a British colony and gaining independence in 1960.
Ademola Lookman
“Ademola Lookman” is not a place or cultural site; he is a professional footballer from Nigeria who currently plays as a forward for Atalanta in Italy and the Nigerian national team. He gained significant recognition after scoring a historic hat-trick in the 2024 UEFA Europa League final, leading his club to victory.
Italy
Italy is a country in Southern Europe with a rich cultural history that dates back to the ancient Roman Empire, which was a foundational civilization for Western law, government, and engineering. It later became the epicenter of the Renaissance, a period of immense artistic and scientific flourishing, and today is renowned for its historic cities, artistic masterpieces, and culinary traditions.
Atalanta
Atalanta is a city in the U.S. state of Georgia, founded in 1837 as a railroad terminus. It became a major center during the American Civil War and later a focal point of the Civil Rights Movement in the 20th century. Today, it is a major cultural and economic hub of the southeastern United States.
Waterloo
Waterloo is a municipality in Belgium, most famous as the site of the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815, where the Duke of Wellington and Gebhard von Blücher decisively defeated Napoleon Bonaparte, ending his rule. Today, the battlefield is marked by the Lion’s Mound monument and a modern visitor center that details the history of the conflict.
Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic is a professional football club based in London, England, founded in 1905. The club has a notable history, including winning the FA Cup in 1947 and experiencing significant periods at their traditional home ground, The Valley.
Everton
Everton is a district in Liverpool, England, historically known as a working-class area and as the home of Everton Football Club, founded in 1878. The club’s original home was Anfield, and its history is deeply intertwined with the industrial and social development of the city.
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig is a professional football club founded in 2009 after the energy drink company Red Bull purchased the playing rights of fifth-tier side SSV Markranstädt. Its rapid ascent through the German football league system, fueled by significant investment, culminated in Bundesliga promotion in 2016, challenging the country’s traditional 50+1 ownership rule. The club’s modern history is defined by its commercial origins and swift rise to become a consistent competitor in the top flight and European competitions.
Fulham
Fulham is a district in West London, historically part of Middlesex, known for its long association with the Bishop of London since the 11th century. Its most prominent cultural site is Fulham Palace, which served as the bishops’ residence for over 1,300 years and features a mix of architectural styles from medieval to Tudor. The area is also home to the football club Fulham F.C., founded in 1879, one of London’s oldest professional teams.
Leicester City
Leicester City is a professional football club based in Leicester, England, founded in 1884. The club achieved one of the greatest sporting upsets in history by winning the English Premier League in the 2015–16 season, having started the campaign as 5000–1 underdogs.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1902. It is one of the world’s most successful and widely supported clubs, renowned for its record number of European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles. The club’s history is deeply intertwined with Spanish culture and politics, having been granted royal patronage in 1920, which led to its “Real” (Royal) name.
Barcelona
Barcelona is a historic Mediterranean port city and the capital of Catalonia, Spain, with origins dating back over 2,000 years to a Roman colony. It is globally renowned for its unique architecture, most notably the modernist masterpieces of Antoni Gaudí, including the iconic but still-unfinished Sagrada Família basilica.
Spanish league
The Spanish league, officially known as La Liga, is the top professional football division in Spain, founded in 1929. It is globally renowned for its historic clubs, such as Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, whose intense rivalry has shaped much of its sporting and cultural significance.
