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 has evolved from a promising youth talent into a standout figure in both club football and international competitions.
Early Life
Lookman was born in Wandsworth, Greater London, and grew up in a football-focused 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, playing for Waterloo, a youth club in the London Borough of Lambeth, where his natural talent quickly became evident.
Club Career
Charlton Athletic
Lookman’s professional career began in 2014 when he joined Charlton Athletic’s academy. His impressive goalscoring record with the U18 and U21 teams saw him rapidly promoted to the first team. He made his senior debut for Charlton on 3 November 2015, and scored his first goal in a 3-2 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. His potential was further highlighted by a brace in a 2-2 draw with Bolton Wanderers.
Everton and Loan to RB Leipzig
In January 2017, Lookman signed for Everton for a reported £7.5 million, which could rise to £11 million with add-ons. He made an immediate impact on his debut, scoring in a 4-0 win over Manchester City. However, his first-team opportunities were limited at Everton, and in January 2018, he moved on loan to Bundesliga club RB Leipzig. There, Lookman quickly made an impression, scoring the winning goal on his debut against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
RB Leipzig and Further Loans
Lookman rejoined Leipzig on a permanent deal in July 2019, signing a five-year contract. He later spent loan spells at Premier League clubs Fulham (2020-2021) and Leicester City (2021-2022), where he impressed with crucial goals, including a memorable strike against Liverpool for Leicester in December 2021.
Atalanta
In August 2022, Lookman made the move to Serie A club Atalanta for a reported €15 million. He made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut in a 2-0 win over Sampdoria. Lookman continued to shine in 2023, scoring three consecutive braces, helping Atalanta finish strong in Serie A and win the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League. In May 2024, Lookman 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 represent both England and Nigeria. After playing for England at various youth levels, including winning the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Lookman switched his international allegiance to Nigeria in 2020. He made his senior debut for Nigeria in March 2022 during a World Cup qualifier against Ghana. Lookman was a key player in Nigeria’s journey to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations 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
Lookman stands 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 growing success in the football world.
