Ademola Lookman Olajade Alade Aylola Lookman (born 20 October 1997) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serie A club Atalanta and the Nigerian national team.
Born in England to Nigerian parents, Lookman’s career has seen him transition from promising youth talent to a star on both the club and international stage.
Early Life
Lookman was born in Wandsworth, Greater London, and grew up in a football-centric environment. He attended St Thomas the Apostle College in Nunhead, where he excelled academically, achieving three A*s and five As at GCSE. His football journey began at the grassroots level, showcasing his raw talent at Waterloo, a youth club based in the London Borough of Lambeth.
Club Career
Charlton Athletic
Lookman’s professional career began in 2014 when he joined Charlton Athletic’s academy. His remarkable goalscoring ability in the U18 and U21 teams earned him a fast-track promotion to the senior squad. He made his debut for Charlton on 3 November 2015 and scored his first goal in a 3-2 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. His consistent performances, including a brace in a 2-2 draw against Bolton Wanderers, confirmed his potential as a top prospect.
Everton and Loan to RB Leipzig
In January 2017, Lookman signed for Everton for a reported £7.5 million, a fee that could rise to £11 million with add-ons. He marked his debut with a goal in a 4-0 victory over Manchester City. However, despite his promising start, Lookman found first-team opportunities limited at Everton. In January 2018, he secured a loan move to Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, where he quickly made an impact, scoring a winning goal against Borussia Mönchengladbach on his debut.
RB Leipzig and Further Loans
Lookman rejoined Leipzig on a permanent basis in July 2019, signing a five-year deal. He had loan spells at Premier League clubs Fulham (2020-2021) and Leicester City (2021-2022), where he demonstrated his quality, scoring crucial goals for both clubs, including a memorable strike against Liverpool in December 2021 for Leicester.
Atalanta BC
In August 2022, Lookman moved to Serie A club Atalanta for a reported €15 million. His impact was immediate, scoring on his debut in a 2-0 victory over Sampdoria. Lookman’s standout performances in 2023, including scoring three consecutive braces, helped Atalanta secure a top finish in Serie A and win the 2023-24 UEFA Europa League.
In May 2024, he made history by becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in a one-legged Men’s European final, leading Atalanta to a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
International Career
Lookman was eligible to play for both England and Nigeria, and after representing England at various youth levels, including winning the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, he switched allegiance to Nigeria in 2020. He made his senior debut for Nigeria in March 2022 during a World Cup qualifier against Ghana.
Lookman played a vital role in Nigeria’s campaign at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring key goals in their journey to the final, where they were narrowly defeated by Ivory Coast. His performances earned him widespread recognition and the prestigious 2024 African Player of the Year award.
Honours
- Atalanta
- UEFA Europa League: 2023–24
- England U20
- FIFA U-20 World Cup: 2017
- Nigeria
- Africa Cup of Nations Runner-up: 2023
- Individual
- LFE Apprentice of the Year (Championship): 2015–16
- Atalanta Player of the Season: 2022–23, 2023–24
- Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 2023
- UEFA Europa League Team of the Season: 2023–24
- 2024 African Player of the Year
- 2024 FIFPro African XI
- Order of the Niger (2024)
Personal Life
Lookman is in a relationship with Jayda Love, an IT specialist from Dallas. Jayda graduated in 2021 with a degree in Public Relations from the University of Oklahoma.
Height
Standing at 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Salary and Net Worth
Ademola Lookman earns £41,000 per week, with an annual salary of £2,132,000 for the 2023/24 season. His estimated net worth ranges between £7 million and £12.7 million, reflecting his rising star in the football world.
