Ademola Lookman: Nigerian forward attributes recent career success to Atalanta

By Wale Mustapha

Reigning African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman, has credited his recent rise to stardom to his club, Atalanta.

Lookman’s career was marked by early struggles to establish himself, having tried his hand at various Premier League clubs including Everton, Fulham, and Leicester City.

He also faced a difficult two-year spell at Bundesliga side RB Leipzig before making the move to Atalanta in 2022.

It was at the Serie A club where Lookman truly blossomed, becoming one of the standout attackers in Europe.

Reflecting on his transformation, Lookman attributed much of his success to the early acceptance and support he received from Atalanta, which helped him settle quickly and establish himself as a key player.

“I think the environment that the club (Atalanta) gave me has been very key to obviously my growth as a player,” Lookman said in an interview with Flashscore.

“And also, just timing, you know, I’ve always believed in myself and to be able to achieve great things. But, yeah, the time has come and, you know, just blessed to be here.”

Lookman’s impressive performances in Serie A have solidified his reputation as one of the top attackers, with his move to Atalanta proving to be a turning point in his career.