The Digest:
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has officially completed his transfer from Atalanta to Atletico Madrid for a fee of €40 million, comprising a €35 million fixed sum and €5 million in add-ons. The 29-year-old signed a four-and-a-half-year contract, committing until June 2030. The deal makes him the second-most expensive Nigerian footballer in history, behind only Victor Osimhen. Lookman's move concludes a protracted saga, including a strained relationship with Atalanta, where he previously refused to train in a bid to force a transfer.
Key Points:
- The transfer represents a major career progression for Lookman, moving to a prestigious Champions League club with a proven track record of developing elite forwards.
- It solidifies the growing market value and global demand for top Nigerian footballing talent in Europe's top leagues.
- Atletico Madrid acquires a versatile, experienced attacker with a proven big-game pedigree, notably his 2024 Europa League final hat-trick.
- The significant fee underscores the financial clout of European clubs and the premium placed on players entering their prime with international experience.
- The move resolves a period of professional uncertainty for Lookman, allowing him to focus fully on integrating into Diego Simeone's system.
Sources: Official club announcements and reports from transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.
