Ademola Lookman joins Atlético Madrid despite Fenerbahce interest

Ex-African player of year 

Atlético Madrid have completed the signing of Ademola Lookman from Atalanta. It’s understood that the Spanish giants will pay an initial €35 million for Lookman, with potentially €5m extra in add-ons. Lookman was heavily linked with a move to Fenerbahce this window but that deal failed to materialise.

Advanced talks took place between Fener and Atalanta chiefs but a fee couldn’t be agreed and Lookman has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with Atletico. The 28-year-old famously scored a hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen but he’s decided to join Diego Simeone’s men.

Ademola Lookman joins Atletico Madrid

Lookman wanted to leave Atalanta in the summer and refused to play after accusing the club over ‘broken promises’. Inter Milan had several bids rejected for the Nigerian international and he issued a public statement to express his unhappiness. After several indifferent spells at Premier League clubs, Lookman has excelled at Atalanta and won the African player of the year in 2024. He will now be tasked with improving Madrid’s form in LaLiga, while they remain in the Champions League.