Ademola Lookman

Ademola Lookman is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger. He is recognized for his pace, dribbling skills, and versatility across the front line, and he plays for Atalanta in Serie A and the Nigeria national team, the Super Eagles. Early Life and Education Ademola Olajide Lookman was born on October 20, 1997, in Wandsworth, South West London, England. His parents are of Nigerian descent, making him eligible to represent both England and Nigeria internationally. Lookman began his football development in the youth systems of local London clubs. He notably spent time at Waterloo F.C. before joining Charlton Athletic's academy in 2014. Lookman progressed quickly through the ranks at Charlton, demonstrating early potential that led to his rapid professional debut. Career Progression Lookman began his professional career at Charlton Athletic, making his debut in November 2015 at the age of 18. His performances immediately drew attention, and after scoring 10 goals in 49 appearances for the club, he secured a major transfer to Everton in the English Premier League in January 2017. He scored on his debut for Everton. Following inconsistent playing time at Everton, Lookman was loaned to RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga in January 2018. His time in Germany proved highly successful, where he registered 5 goals and 4 assists in 11 matches. This strong form led to RB Leipzig purchasing him permanently in July 2019. However, his second spell at the club saw limited opportunities, resulting in subsequent loan moves back to the Premier League with Fulham (2020–2021) and Leicester City (2021–2022). In August 2022, Lookman moved to Italy, signing with Atalanta B.C. in Serie A. His move to Atalanta marked a significant turning point, where he established himself as a prolific goalscorer and key player. In his debut season, he scored 13 league goals. Major Achievements and Notable Works Lookman's defining moment came during the 2023–2024 season when he achieved a historic feat in the UEFA Europa League Final, scoring a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen to lead Atalanta to their first-ever major European trophy. He became the first player to score a hat-trick in a UEFA Europa League or UEFA Cup final. Internationally, Lookman initially represented England at the youth levels, winning the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He later switched his allegiance to the Nigeria national team in 2022, making his debut in a World Cup qualification play-off match against Ghana. He was a crucial player for the Super Eagles in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he scored three goals and helped Nigeria reach the final. Current Status As of the 2024–2025 season, Ademola Lookman continues to be a central figure for Atalanta in Serie A, building on his continental success. He remains a key member of the Nigeria national team, participating in competitive and friendly matches as the team strives for qualification for major tournaments.