Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has shared his excitement after completing his move to Atlético Madrid, saying he is ready to take on a new challenge at the Spanish club.
The 28-year-old arrived in Madrid on Sunday, bringing an end to a transfer saga that had stretched on for months.
Speaking briefly after landing in the Spanish capital, Lookman said, “I’m very happy to be here. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Atlético Madrid confirmed the signing after agreeing to a deal valued at €40m, including a €35m fixed fee and €5m in add-ons.
The Nigeria international completed his medical on Monday before putting pen to paper on a long-term contract ahead of the transfer window deadline.
The move makes Lookman the second most expensive Nigerian footballer in history, behind Victor Osimhen’s €78.9m transfer from Lille to Napoli in 2020, and ahead of Alex Iwobi’s €30.4m move from Arsenal to Everton in 2019.
His exit from Atalanta closes a memorable chapter. Lookman joined the Serie A side in August 2022 on a four-year deal for a reported €18m fee, scoring on his debut in a 2–0 league win over Sampdoria and going on to become a key figure for the club.
