By Martin Graham
Atlético de Madrid have completed the acquisition of the striker from Nigeria Ademola Lookman from Atalanta in a transfer valued at £30.3m, confirming that his contract will run until June 2030.
The 28-year-old becomes the first English-born footballer to feature in the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A and La Liga. In total, just 21 players have competed in these four competitions, while Christian Poulsen, Justin Kluivert and Stevan Jovetic remain the only figures to have featured in all five of Europe’s top leagues, including Ligue 1.
Since arriving in Italy in 2022 from RB Leipzig, the London striker has scored 55 goals and provided 27 assists in Serie A. His highlight came in 2024, when he scored three goals in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen to earn Atalanta their first continental honour.
That same year, Lookman was crowned African Footballer of the Year and was the only African representative on the men’s Ballon d’Or shortlist, finishing 14th. Although he lifted the Under-20 World Cup with England in 2017, he switched international allegiances and made his first appearance for Nigeria in 2022.
Atlético’s professional career and league position
Lookman’s professional rise began at Charlton Athletic, where he made his debut in 2015, before moving to Everton two seasons later which included a goal in his Premier League introduction.
A productive loan spell preceded a permanent move to RB Leipzig in July 2019, after which he spent full campaigns on temporary deals with Fulham and Leicester City.
Atlético, currently third in Spain’s top division and ten points behind leaders Barcelona, announced the deal with Atalanta on Monday and completed the formalities on the day of the transfer deadline.
Vargas added from Major League Soccer
Along with the arrival of Lookman, Atlético de Madrid also confirmed the signing of the midfielder Obed Vargas from the Seattle Sounders.
The Anchorage, Alaska-born Mexico international has committed to the Spanish side until June 30, 2030 after progressing through the ranks at the MLS club since joining in 2019.
Vargas made his league debut on July 22, 2021 at the age of 15 years and 351 days, making him the third-youngest player in MLS history at the time. His honors with the Sounders include the 2021-22 Concacaf Champions League and the 2025 League Cup, and he previously faced Atletico during last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.
