Ademola Lookman
Ademola Lookman Olajade Alade Aylola Lookman was born on October 20, 1997, in Wandsworth, London, and raised in Peckham. He began his football journey at Waterloo FC before joining Charlton Athletic's academy in 2014. Lookman made his senior debut for Charlton in 2015, scoring 10 goals in 45 appearances over two seasons.
Club career progression
Lookman's professional career started at Charlton Athletic, where his performances attracted attention from top-tier clubs.
In January 2017, Lookman signed with Everton. He made an immediate impact by scoring on his debut against Manchester City. Seeking more playing time, he was loaned to RB Leipzig in January 2018, where he scored five goals in 11 Bundesliga appearances.
After a permanent move to RB Leipzig in 2019, Lookman struggled for consistent form, leading to loan spells at Fulham (2020–21) and Leicester City (2021–22), where he scored four and six Premier League goals, respectively.
In 2022, Lookman transferred to Atalanta in Serie A. He quickly became a key player, scoring 13 goals in his debut season. His standout moment came in the 2024 UEFA Europa League final, where he scored a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen, securing Atalanta's first European trophy in 61 years.
International career
Initially representing England at youth levels, including the U-20 team that won the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Lookman switched allegiance to Nigeria in 2020. He debuted for the Super Eagles in 2022 and played a pivotal role in Nigeria's journey to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final.
Playing style
Lookman is known for his pace, dribbling skills, and versatility in attacking positions. He often operates as a winger or forward, contributing both goals and assists.
Career Statistics: Club Appearances and Goals
- Charlton Athletic: 49 appearances, 12 goals
- Everton: 48 appearances, 4 goals
- RB Leipzig (loan and permanent): 24 appearances, 5 goals
- Fulham (loan): 35 appearances, 4 goals
- Leicester City (loan): 42 appearances, 8 goals
- Atalanta: 76 appearances, 30 goals.
International Appearances and Goals:
- England U19, U20, U21: 31 appearances, 5 goals
- Nigeria: 29 appearances, 8 goals
Honours and recognition
- FIFA U-20 World Cup: Winner with England U-20 in 2017
- UEFA Europa League: Winner with Atalanta in 2024
- African Player of the Year: Awarded in 2024
