Ademola Lookman

Ademola Lookman secured his place in football history on 22 May 2024 by scoring a hat-trick for Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen at the Dublin Arena. This performance earned him the title of African Footballer of the Year, marking a significant milestone in a career that spans top-tier leagues across Europe.

Early Development in London

Born in Wandsworth on 20 October 1997 to parents of Yoruba origin, Ademola Olajade Alade Aylola Lookman attended St Thomas the Apostle College in Nunhead. His academic record included three A*s and five As in his GCSEs. He began his football journey at the Waterloo youth club before joining Charlton Athletic's academy in 2014. His rapid progression through the youth ranks led to his senior debut for Charlton on 3 November 2015.

THE FREE TEST

How high is yours?

Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.

Take the IQ test →

European Club Tenure

Lookman signed for Everton in January 2017 for an initial fee of £7.5 million. His subsequent career included loan spells at RB Leipzig, Fulham, and Leicester City. In 2022, he moved to the Italian Serie A side Atalanta on a four-year contract. His tenure in Bergamo was defined by significant goalscoring contributions, culminating in the 2024 Europa League title. In February 2026, he transferred to Atlético Madrid in a deal worth £30.3 million, where he scored his 100th career goal during a debut appearance against Real Betis.

International Allegiances

Initially representing England, Lookman played for youth squads ranging from under-19 to under-21 levels, notably helping the under-20 team win the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Despite multiple approaches from the Nigeria Football Federation throughout 2017 and 2018, he initially maintained his commitment to England. In 2020, he switched his international allegiance to Nigeria. He debuted for the senior team in 2022 and contributed to their runner-up finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and a third-place finish in 2025.