“61-year trophy drought” – Ademola Lookman breaks silence on Atalanta exit

Super Eagles and Atletico de Madrid forward has penned an emotional farewell message to Atalanta after sealing a January move away from the club, Soccernet.ng reports.

Lookman joined La Dea in 2022 on the back of unsuccessful spells with RB Leipzig, Everton, Leicester City and even Fulham.

Atalanta's €16.1m gamble paid off as the Nigerian became a mainstay under Gian Piero Gasperini, scoring 52 goals and providing 22 assists in 119 games under the Italian manager.

Alongside, he made history, becoming the first-ever player to score a hat-trick in the final of a UEFA club competition that birthed Atalanta's maiden major trophy.

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Lookman bids Atalanta goodbye

After a tumultuous summer that saw the player fall out with the club over their refusal to sanction a move to AC Milan, the 2024 CAF Player of the Year suffered a dip in form.

The AFCON 2025 tournament proved to be a turning point for the ex-Charlton Athletic attacker as he scored three goals and provided four assists, accruing the most goal contributions in Morocco.

His display put him back on the African map, and after a tussle between Fenerbahce and Atletico Madrid in the last few days, Lookman opted to sign for Diego Simeone's Atletico, although the Turkish side offered more money.

La Rojiblancos, in an official statement on their club website, announced their latest acquisition in a €40M [₦66B] deal.

Lookman took to his social media page to thank Atalanta for the time spent there and for how they catapulted his career to the next level.

“To the Atalanta family, after nearly four years, the time has come for me to say goodbye.

“From the moment I arrived in Bergamo, you welcomed me like one of your own and pushed me to be the best version of myself.

“Together we made history. European champions, a night none of us will ever forget. 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.

“Winning the Africa Player of the Year award in 2024 as an Atalanta player will forever stay with me. Those moments, those emotions, those nights under the lights, they’re engraved in my heart.

“Thank you to my teammates, the staff, and the club. To the fans, your passion, your belief, your energy meant everything.

“From day one, you stood by me and by this team through every moment. Your passion, your voices, and your belief never faded, and together we achieved.

“Every cheer, every banner, every away trip meant something. Thank you for making Bergamo feel like home and for giving me memories I’ll carry forever. Grazie di tutto, ciao,” the 28-year-old wrote.

To the Atalanta family , after nearly four years, the time has come for me to say goodbye. From the moment I arrived in Bergamo, you welcomed me like one of your own and pushed me to be the best version of myself.

Together we made history. European champions, a night none of us… pic.twitter.com/uKowjaOr1n

— Ademola Lookman (@Alookman_) February 2, 2026

Lookman played 87 minutes for Atalanta after the AFCON 2025 tournament ended, but could make his debut for Atletico Madrid in three days.

The 2014 La Liga winners will play against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey quarter-final at the Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla.