Ademola Lookman has confirmed his departure from Atalanta after three and a half years at the Italian club, bringing to an end one of the most successful spells by a forward in the club’s history.
The Nigeria international announced his exit in an emotional statement posted on Instagram, thanking the club, his teammates and supporters for what he described as unforgettable moments in Bergamo.
“Together we made history,” Lookman wrote. “Scoring a hat-trick in a European final and lifting a trophy with this club after a 61-year trophy drought will stay with me, those nights under the lights, they’re engraved in my heart.”
Ademola Lookman. Photo Credit: Imago
Since joining Atalanta in the summer of 2022, Lookman played 137 matches, scoring 55 goals and registering 23 assists, establishing himself as one of Serie A’s most decisive attacking players.
His defining moment came in the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League final, where he scored a historic hat-trick in Atalanta’s 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
Super Eagles Ademola Lookman with the Europa League. Photo credit: Getty Images
The performance ended Leverkusen’s 51-match unbeaten run and delivered Atalanta’s first major trophy in 61 years.
Lookman became the first player to score a hat-trick in a one-leg Europa League final, a feat that cemented his place in the club’s history and earned him widespread recognition across Europe and Africa.
During his time with Atalanta, the forward won two Player of the Season awards, was named in the Serie A Team of the Season (2024–25) and the Europa League Team of the Season, and capped his rise by winning the CAF African Player of the Year award in 2024.
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At international level, Lookman was named in the CAF Team of the Year 2024, as well as the Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament in 2023 and 2025, underlining his importance to Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
“Thank you for making Bergamo feel like home and for giving me memories I’ll carry forever,” Lookman added in his farewell message.
FULL Statement. Photo Credit: Lookman/Instagram
The 28-year-old is now set to continue his career in Spain, where he is expected to join Atletico Madrid, becoming only the second Nigerian player to feature for the club’s men’s first team.
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The only Nigerian to have previously played for Atletico Madrid is Abass Lawal, who represented Atleti B between 1997 and 2000, before making appearances for the first team during the 2000–01 season.
