Ademola Lookman will lead Atalanta BC as they receive the gold medal from the City of Bergamo, celebrating their Europa League victory, Soccernet.ng reports.
Lookman was Atalanta's star on that unforgettable Sunday night in Dublin. The Super Eagles forward scored a hat-trick to help the team defeat German champions Bayer Leverkusen in the 2023/24 Europa League final.
The Europa League triumph marks Atalanta's first-ever European trophy and their second major title, the first in over 60 years.
The Municipality of Bergamo has decided to honour Atalanta with the city's gold medal.
According to Tutto Atalanta, Mayor Giorgio Gori and his council made this decision, and the official ceremony will take place on Friday, 31 May, at Palazzo Frizzoni.
An official statement from the Municipality noted that, although civic honours are usually awarded at the end of the year, the exceptional nature of Atalanta's triumph warranted an early celebration. This timing allows the award to coincide with the team's celebrations of their continental title.
Mayor Gori, who witnessed the historic victory in Dublin, explained,
“Awarding the highest civic honour to Atalanta is a heartfelt decision, driven by our gratitude to a team that has filled us with pride.”
The gold medal symbolizes the strong bond between Bergamo and its team, recognizing the excellence and determination that brought the city international acclaim.
Friday's events will unite players, managers, fans, and citizens in a shared celebration of both the sporting success and the pride it has brought to Bergamo.
The Europa League title is the first club honour for Lookman, who has previously played for Charlton Athletic, Everton, Fulham, Leicester City, and RB Leipzig.
