Ademola Olajade Alade Aylola Lookman, a London-born Nigerian forward born on October 20, 1997, in Wandsworth, Greater London, attended St Thomas the Apostle College in Peckham and has played for clubs in England, Germany, and Italy.
Ademola Lookman’s professional career took off in 2014 when he joined Charlton Athletic’s academy from London’s Waterloo youth club. He rapidly rose through the ranks due to his impressive goalscoring for the U18 and U-21 teams. On November 3, 2015, he made his first-team debut for Charlton, scoring his first goal a month later against Brighton & Hove Albion. He continued to impress, netting a brace against Bolton Wanderers soon after.
In January 2017, Everton signed Lookman for a reported £7.5 million, with the potential for add-ons based on performance. He made a dream debut, scoring the final goal in a 4-0 win over Manchester City, and even featured in Everton’s Europa League qualifying campaign. However, under manager Sam Allardyce, regular playing time became scarce, and the club explored loan options to provide more consistent playing experience.
Lookman pushed for a permanent move to a higher level, and in the 2017-18 season, RB Leipzig offered him a loan deal. He seized the opportunity to join the Bundesliga club, seeking more playing time and new challenges.
Ademola Lookman’s loan spell at RB Leipzig marked a turning point in his career. He made an instant impact, scoring a dramatic winning goal on his debut. Although Everton brought him back permanently, regular playing time remained elusive.
Lookman embarked on another loan adventure, joining Fulham in 2020 and quickly scoring his first goal. He continued his loan spells with a move to Leicester City in 2021, making a significant impact with a winning goal against Liverpool. Despite limited opportunities, Lookman demonstrated his resilience and adaptability as a footballer.
Ademola Lookman’s career was marked by loan spells, earning him a “journeyman” reputation. However, his move to Atalanta in August 2022 proved to be a turning point. He impressed immediately, scoring on his debut and maintaining his form throughout the season. A spectacular run in January 2023 saw him net braces in three consecutive matches, cementing his status as a key player at Atalanta and a rising star in Italian football.
Ademola Lookman made history by becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final, leading Atalanta to their first-ever major European trophy. This victory marked a personal milestone for Lookman, securing his first major trophy at senior level after nine years of professional football. He cemented his place among Nigeria’s Europa League champions and etched his name in the history book.
Ademola Lookman’s international career has been marked by a tale of divided loyalties. Born in England to Nigerian parents, he was eligible to represent both countries. Initially, he progressed through England’s youth ranks, winning the U-20 World Cup in 2017. However, in 2020, he switched his allegiance to Nigeria, despite still hoping to play for England. FIFA approved the switch in 2022, and he made his debut for the Super Eagles in March 2022. He quickly became a vital player, scoring crucial goals in their run to second place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
