Ademola Lookman Olajade Alade Aylola Lookman stands today as one of football’s most compelling stories of transformation, a player who journeyed from the quiet streets of South London to the grandest stages of European football.
Born in Wandsworth, Greater London, to Nigerian parents, Lookman’s path has been anything but linear.
Through early promise, periods of frustration, and an eventual spectacular rebirth in Italy, his career embodies the virtues of perseverance and self-belief.
“To the youth of Africa I say: Never give up. Turn pain to power,” Lookman declared upon being crowned the 2024 African Footballer of the Year.
These words encapsulate the essence of a journey marked by both struggle and spectacular success, culminating in his recent high-profile transfer to Atlético Madrid in early 2026.
Early foundations: Education, family, and football
Lookman’s story begins in Peckham, South London, where he was raised with a strong emphasis on both his Nigerian heritage and academic achievement. His full name, Ademola Olajade Alade Aylola Lookman, proudly reflects his Yoruba roots.
His mother, in particular, instilled in him the importance of education. “My mum has always been big on education, but being Nigerian it is a bit more intense,” Lookman once explained. “The pressure is definitely different”.
This pressure yielded impressive results; he excelled academically at St Thomas the Apostle College, achieving top grades in his GCSEs.
Football, however, was his true calling. His earliest memory is of “rolling up my socks in the house and kicking them around”. His talent was nurtured at Waterloo, a local youth club, before he joined Charlton Athletic’s academy in 2014.
His rapid ascent was remarkable. After a prolific scoring record for Charlton’s youth teams, he made his senior debut in November 2015 and quickly became a bright spot for a struggling side, his performances in the Championship earning him the league’s Apprentice of the Year award.
The Premier League promise and German sojourn
In January 2017, a 19-year-old Lookman secured a high-profile move to Everton for a fee that could rise to £11 million, a record for a League One player at the time. His debut was storybook: coming on as a late substitute against Manchester City, he scored with his first touch.
Manager Ronald Koeman hailed him as “a big talent” and “a player for the future”.
Yet, consistent opportunities proved elusive. He played under multiple managers at Everton, often finding himself on the periphery. A pivotal moment came in January 2018 when, against his manager’s wishes, he pushed for a loan move to Germany’s RB Leipzig.
The move was an instant success; he scored the winner on his debut against Borussia Mönchengladbach and finished the short spell with five goals in eleven appearances.
This taste of regular football in an attacking system was transformative. Despite Everton’s desire to keep him, Lookman’s determination led to a permanent transfer to Leipzig in July 2019.
His time in Germany was inconsistent, leading to loan spells back in England with Fulham and Leicester City. At Leicester, manager Brendan Rodgers noted his exceptional dedication: “He would be out with a bag of balls, doing shooting exercises long after other ones had gone in… Everything is geared towards being the best he could”.
Despite flashes of quality, a sense of unfulfilled potential lingered.
The Atalanta rebirth: Becoming a continent’s best
The turning point in Lookman’s career arrived in August 2022 with a €15 million move to Atalanta in Italy’s Serie A. In the “chilled” city of Bergamo, he found a perfect footballing home under manager Gian Piero Gasperini. “I sat there, ate and thought ‘yeah, I’m going to do this,'” he recalled of his first days in Italy.
His transformation was spectacular. Lookman evolved from a promising winger into a devastatingly effective forward. He scored on his Serie A debut and soon became the engine of Atalanta’s attack.
His defining moment came on the grandest stage. On May 22, 2024, in the UEFA Europa League final in Dublin, Lookman scored a stunning hat-trick to power Atalanta to a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, securing the club’s first-ever European trophy.
He became the first player in 49 years to score a hat-trick in a major European club final.
This achievement catapulted him to global recognition. Later that year, he was crowned the African Footballer of the Year, the seventh Nigerian to win the award. He also earned a nomination for the Ballon d’Or, finishing 14th in the voting.
Reflecting on his journey, Lookman stated, “Four years ago my career felt down but now I’m here as the best player in Africa… Don’t let your failures stop your dreams”. His time at Atalanta was not without controversy, however.
A public dispute with manager Gasperini over a missed penalty in the Champions League during the 2024-25 season revealed tensions, with Lookman calling the coach’s criticism “deeply disrespectful”. Despite this, his legacy in Bergamo was secure, marked by 41 league goals in 105 appearances before his transfer.
Answering Nigeria’s call: International identity and success
Lookman’s international career mirrors his club journey, a story of delayed gratification leading to profound impact.
Eligible for both England and Nigeria, he initially represented England at various youth levels, playing a key role in their 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup triumph. Nigeria pursued him persistently for years before he finally switched allegiance in 2022.
He quickly became indispensable to the Super Eagles.
At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, he was instrumental in Nigeria’s run to the final, scoring all three goals in the knockout victories over Cameroon and Angola. His performances earned him a place in the tournament’s best XI. His connection to his heritage is deep and personal, often expressed publicly.
At the AFCON awards, he delivered a message in Yoruba to fans back home, and he has spoken about how his Christian faith guides him: “Show God you really want what you say you want with your hard work, and He’ll reward you”.
Style of play, personality, and the future at Atlético Madrid
On the pitch, Lookman is a versatile, modern forward. Primarily an attacking midfielder or winger, he combines pace, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing with both feet.
Statistical profiles highlight his exceptional threat in front of goal, with metrics for shot attempts and chances created ranking far above his peers. Off the field, he is known for a quiet determination and strong family values, often seen with his partner, Jayda Love.
In February 2026, the next chapter of his career began when Atlético Madrid announced his signing on a four-and-a-half-year contract. This move to one of Spain’s top clubs represents the latest step in an extraordinary climb.
As he enters his prime, Lookman carries with him not just the skills of a top footballer, but the resilience of a player who turned early setbacks into the foundation for legendary success.
His story continues to be written, but its central theme is already clear: an unwavering commitment to hard work and a profound ability to transform potential into glory.