Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Monday, 02 February 2026, 21:46 / Updated on Monday, 02 February 2026 21:46
Atletico Madrid have formalized the transfer of Ademola Lookman (28) from Atalanta, although the Nigerian forward was heavily wanted by FCSB's former rivals Fenerbahce this mercato period.
The Madrid group paid around 35 million euros for the Nigerian international, who signed a contract valid for four and a half years. Lookman will work under Diego Simeone.
Ademola Lookman was presented by Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid made the move official via the club's social media, accompanied by the message “Haideee!”.
Ademola Lookman was presented by Atletico Madrid // PHOTO: @Atletico de Madrid
By transferring to La Liga, Lookman becomes the first player of English origin (having dual citizenship, in addition to the Nigerian one) to play in the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A and La Liga. Only 21 footballers have achieved this feat of playing in all five major European championships.
Ademola Lookman arrived at Atalanta in 2022, from RB Leipzig, and in the Italian shirt he ticked:
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137 matches
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55 goals
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27 assists
The landmark moment of his career remains the hat-trick in the 2023 Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, which brought the first European trophy in Atalanta's history.
The striker wanted to leave Atalanta since last summer, but a transfer to Inter fell through at the last minute. In the end, Lookman chose Atletico Madrid's project, refusing even the concrete interest of Fenerbahce.
Farewell message for Bergamo fans
On parting with Atalanta, Lookman delivered an emotional message on the X platform:
To the Atalanta family, after almost four years, the time has come to say goodbye. From the moment I arrived in Bergamo, you welcomed me as one of your own and pushed me to be the best version of me.
Together we wrote history. European champions, a night none of us will ever forget. To score a hat-trick in a European final and lift a trophy with this club after a 61-year drought will always stay with me. Winning the African Player of the Year award in 2024 as an Atalanta player will forever remain in my memory. Those moments, those emotions, those nights under the stadium lights are etched in my heart.Thank you to my teammates, staff and club. To the fans, your passion, your belief, your energy meant everything. From day one, you've been with me and this team every step of the way. Your passion, your voices, your faith never died and together we made it.
– it is stated in the Nigerian's statement
