Atletico Madrid Manager Diego Simeone Extends Warm Welcome to Nigerian Winger Ademola Lookman
Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has conveyed a significant and encouraging message to Nigerian international Ademola Lookman, following the completion of the Super Eagles winger's high-profile transfer to the Spanish club. The move, finalized on Monday, February 2, 2026, marks a pivotal moment in Lookman's career as he transitions from Italian side Atalanta to Los Rojiblancos.
Details of the Transfer Agreement and Lookman's Recent Achievements
The transfer deal involved Atletico Madrid reaching a verbal agreement with Atalanta, with the Spanish giants agreeing to pay an initial fee of €35 million, supplemented by an additional €5 million in performance-related add-ons, bringing the total potential value to €40 million. This move comes after Lookman rejected a lucrative offer from Turkish club Fenerbahce, opting instead for the challenge of La Liga.
Lookman's decision to join Atletico Madrid is bolstered by his recent outstanding performances on the international stage. The 28-year-old played a crucial role in Nigeria's campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco, where he contributed three goals and four assists. His efforts were instrumental in guiding the Super Eagles to a bronze medal finish, after they defeated Egypt 4-2 on penalties in the third-place match earlier this year.
Lookman's Impressive Club Career and Emotional Farewell to Atalanta
During his three-and-a-half-year tenure with Atalanta in Serie A, Ademola Lookman established himself as a key player, enjoying a highly successful spell that included historic achievements. Notably, he scored a memorable hat-trick in the final of the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League, leading La Dea to victory over Bayer Leverkusen. In the 2024/25 season, he continued to excel, scoring 15 league goals and adding five more in the UEFA Champions League, helping Atalanta secure a third-place finish in Serie A.
Upon his departure, Lookman penned a heartfelt farewell message to the Atalanta supporters, expressing gratitude for their unwavering support. He stated, "To the Atalanta family, after nearly four years, the time has come for me to say goodbye. From the moment I arrived in Bergamo, you welcomed me like one of your own and pushed me to be the best version of myself." This emotional goodbye underscores the strong bond he formed with the club and its fans.
Diego Simeone's Confidence in Lookman's Integration and Impact
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has expressed strong confidence in Ademola Lookman's ability to integrate seamlessly into the squad and bring his wealth of experience to the team. The Argentine tactician highlighted Lookman's quick adaptation, noting his physical attributes and technical skills. Simeone explained, "He joined the group very quickly, and you could immediately notice his physical strength, his speed, his ability to change the play, and his power in the final third."
Simeone further emphasized that the signing of Lookman, who was named the 2024 CAF Player of the Year, is strategically aimed at strengthening Atletico Madrid with both quality and experience. He added, "We hope he can help us in the way he believes he can, and in the way we expect. And obviously, that important partnerships are formed for the good of the team, because that’s what it’s about: bringing good players together." This statement reflects the coach's optimism about Lookman's potential to form effective partnerships with his new teammates and contribute significantly to the team's success.
Background on Lookman's Transfer Decision and Future Prospects
Prior to finalizing the move, reports indicated that Ademola Lookman had initially hesitated about joining Atletico Madrid, taking his time to evaluate the project and financial terms presented by the Spanish club. Despite interest from Atletico, the Nigerian forward was not fully convinced initially, leaving room for other clubs to potentially intervene. However, his eventual decision to commit to Atletico Madrid signals a new chapter in his career, with high expectations for his performance in La Liga.
This transfer has garnered praise from football legends, including Super Eagles icon Sunday Oliseh, who commended Lookman for choosing Atletico Madrid over a more financially rewarding offer from Turkey. As Lookman embarks on this new journey, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how he adapts to Spanish football and contributes to Atletico Madrid's ambitions in domestic and European competitions.
