Ademola Lookman
Who was Ademola Lookman?
Nigerian-English winger who switched from England to represent Nigeria in 2022. He scored a hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final, leading Atalanta to victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Ademola Lookman (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Ademola Lookman Olajade Alade Aylola Lookman was born on October 20, 1997, in Wandsworth, London, to a family with Nigerian roots. He went to The St Thomas the Apostle College in south London, where he showed his football skills early on. A fast and skilled winger, Lookman advanced through youth football in England before starting his professional career as a teenager.
Lookman made his senior club debut in 2015 with Charlton Athletic, which was in the Championship, the second level of English football. His performances caught the eye of top clubs, and in January 2017, he signed with Everton in the Premier League. While at Everton, he had loan stints at RB Leipzig in Germany, where he impressed in the Bundesliga, and at Fulham. These experiences broadened his game and showed his ability to adapt to different European football styles.
In 2022, Lookman joined Italian Serie A club Atalanta permanently. The move had a big impact. Under Gian Piero Gasperini's management, he became one of Europe's top attacking players. His dribbling skills, direct play, and calmness in front of goal made him key to Atalanta's goals. The 2023-24 season was the peak of his club career up to that point, as Atalanta made a memorable run in the UEFA Europa League. In the final against Bayer Leverkusen, Lookman scored a hat-trick, leading the team to victory and leaving a mark on European football. After that performance, he was named the African Footballer of the Year, becoming the seventh Nigerian international to win the award. In January 2026, he moved to Spanish La Liga club Atlético Madrid.
On the international level, Lookman played for England at under-19 and under-21 levels before switching to Nigeria, debuting for the Super Eagles in 2022. The choice fit his personal identity and his wish to play at the highest international level with Nigeria. He was part of the Nigerian team that reached the Africa Cup of Nations final in 2023, finishing as runners-up, and returned in 2025, helping Nigeria secure third place.
Before Fame
Growing up in Wandsworth, a borough in south London, Lookman was among a generation of British-born kids with Nigerian roots who saw football as both a passion and an opportunity. He went to The St Thomas the Apostle College, a Roman Catholic secondary school in Peckham, where his athletic abilities were evident. South London has produced many professional footballers over the years, and local youth academies provided structured environments for talented young players to develop.
Lookman worked his way up through the youth system at Charlton Athletic, a club known for developing homegrown talent. By 2015, when he was just seventeen, he had broken into the first team, showing himself as a promising forward. His early performances caught the attention of Premier League scouts, setting off a career path that would eventually lead him to some of the most competitive clubs and competitions in world football.
Key Achievements
- Scored a hat-trick in the 2024 UEFA Europa League final to lead Atalanta to victory over Bayer Leverkusen
- Named African Footballer of the Year in 2024, becoming the seventh Nigerian to win the award
- Reached the Africa Cup of Nations final with Nigeria in 2023
- Signed for La Liga club Atlético Madrid in January 2026
- Made his senior professional debut at Charlton Athletic in 2015 before earning a Premier League move to Everton in 2017
Did You Know?
- 01.Lookman scored a hat-trick in the 2024 UEFA Europa League final, making him one of very few players to achieve that feat in a major European cup final.
- 02.He switched international allegiance from England, for whom he played at under-19 and under-21 level, to Nigeria, making his Super Eagles debut in 2022.
- 03.He was named the African Footballer of the Year following his 2024 Europa League triumph, becoming only the seventh Nigerian international to win the award.
- 04.Before establishing himself in Italy, Lookman had a loan spell at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, where he scored on his debut.
- 05.Lookman was educated at The St Thomas the Apostle College in Peckham, south London, a school with a strong Catholic ethos in the heart of one of London's most diverse communities.
Explore More
Famous People from United Kingdom
Historical figures and notable individuals from United Kingdom.
Born on October 20
Famous people who share this birthday.
Population of United Kingdom
Historical population data and growth trends.
Population Pyramid of United Kingdom
Age and sex distribution, 1950–2100.