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Ademola Lookman, born 20 October 1997 in Wandsworth, London, has evolved from a promising youth-league talent into one of Europe’s finest. Standing at 1.74 m and operating primarily as a second striker or winger, he has forged a career across England, Germany, and Italy in a journey defined by perseverance and steady development.
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Lookman began his youth career at Waterloo before joining Charlton Athletic’s academy in 2013. He broke into the first team, scoring 10 goals in 45 league games over two seasons, an impressive return for a teenage newcomer. His early promise earned him a move to Everton in 2017, but despite flashes of brilliance, he managed just one goal in 36 league appearances and struggled for consistent minutes.
A loan move to RB Leipzig in January 2018 marked a turning point. In just 11 Bundesliga matches, he scored five goals, including one in Leipzig’s 6-2 win at Hertha Berlin, a reminder of the talent that had first attracted Premier League interest. Leipzig signed him permanently in 2019, but injuries and competition limited him to less than a dozen league appearances without a goal, prompting loan spells back in England with Fulham during the 2020-21 season and Leicester City in the 2021-22 camapign, where he scored four and six league goals respectively. These years tested his resilience, but his attacking edge remained intact.
Everything changed in 2022 when Lookman joined Atalanta in Serie A, a move that unlocked his full potential. Since arriving, he has made over 100 league appearances and scored 41 goals, becoming central to the club’s attacking identity. Analytics over the past year place him among Europe’s elite forwards: top 1% for non-penalty goals per 90 minutes, shot-creating actions, and key passes, and top 2% for progressive carries and carries into the penalty area.
His defining moment came in the 2023-24 UEFA Europa League final, where he scored a historic hat-trick in Atalanta’s 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, becoming the first player to net three goals in a Europa League final. It was a performance talked about for days, one which earned him a rare 10 out of 10 rating from L’Équipe and confirmed his rise from underused prospect to continental star.
A recent full season saw him register 20 goals and six assists, illustrating his evolution into a complete modern forward who blends pace and tactical intelligence.
At international level, Lookman represented England at youth level, winning the Under-20 World Cup in 2017. However, when it came to senior football, he chose Nigeria, officially switching as a ‘New Eagle’ on 10 February 2022. He made an immediate impact, scoring his first goal for the Super Eagles in a 10-0 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier win over São Tomé and Príncipe on 13 June 2022. At the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, the 28-year-old delivered a stellar performance, scoring three crucial goals during the knockout stages. Despite Nigeria losing the final to the host nation, his exploits earned him the 2024 African Footballer of the Year award.
Recent challenges have tested Lookman’s resilience once more. At the start of 2025, tensions with Atalanta escalated as he pushed for a summer move to Inter Milan. The club rejected offers reportedly below their €50 million valuation. Frustrated, Lookman skipped pre-season training and publicly criticized Atalanta for “broken promises” and “poor treatment,” highlighting yet another example of the struggles faced by African players in Italy.
Upon reintegration, Lookman struggled to recapture his previous form. Critics in Italy argued he “clearly lost his way,” suggesting the unresolved transfer saga and public protest affected his confidence and consistency. The tension recently boiled over during a match against Olympique de Marseille. After being substituted around the 75th minute, Lookman appeared visibly angry, engaging in a heated exchange with coach Ivan Juric before staff intervened to prevent escalation.
At the same time, Nigeria suffered a blow, failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Redemption now lies in AFCON 2025. While the Super Eagles possess individual talent capable of success, converting it into trophies remains a challenge – the team last lifted the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013.
Lookman’s inclusion is crucial. As a wide forward, he blends creativity with a consistent goal-scoring threat. His interplay with players like Osimhen and Simon, his composure in front of goal, and his ability to operate in tight spaces make him crucial in knockout matches or against deep defensive blocks. If Nigeria is to surpass past performances, Lookman will be a key factor.
