Ademola Lookman completed a move from Atalanta to Atletico Madrid on the January transfer deadline day, Soccernet.ng reports.
With the move, he is set to become the first Nigerian footballer to play in the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A, and La Liga.
Even just as significantly, his transfer has made a huge profit for Atalanta and a large hole in the purse of Atlético Madrid.
It is a transfer that places the Nigerian forward firmly among the most significant sales in Atalanta’s history, while also ranking him within the upper tier of Atlético Madrid’s most expensive arrivals.
Atalanta agreed to sell Lookman for a fixed fee of €35m, with a further €5m in potential add-ons. That figure makes him the sixth-largest sale the club have ever completed.
Only five exits rank higher. Rasmus Højlund’s move to Manchester United for close to €78m remains Atalanta’s record departure, followed by Mateo Retegui to Al Qadsiah (€68m), Teun Koopmeiners to Juventus (€58m), Cristian Romero to Tottenham (€52m), and Dejan Kulusevski’s €39m switch to Juventus.
Lookman now sits just below that elite group, a remarkable position for a player signed in 2022 at a far lower cost.
From a financial perspective, the deal represents a major win. The forward’s remaining book value was modest, allowing Atalanta to post a net capital gain of just over €31m. After accounting for wage savings, amortisation and the sell-on clause owed to RB Leipzig, the overall profit still stands at around €29m. In an era of strict financial controls, this sale significantly strengthens Atalanta’s balance sheet ahead of the 2026 financial year.
Yet the figures only tell part of the story. Lookman leaves Bergamo with 55 goals in 137 appearances, ninth on the club’s all-time scoring list. His hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final delivered Atalanta’s first European trophy in 61 years, ensuring his legacy is secure long after his departure.
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Atletico Madrid's statement signing and where Lookman ranks
For Atlético Madrid, the numbers point to a major investment. Lookman’s €35m fee places him inside the club’s top ten most expensive signings of all time, alongside players such as Rodrigo De Paul, Álvaro Morata, Jackson Martínez and Matheus Cunha.
The benchmark at the Metropolitano remains João Félix, whose €127m move from Benfica in 2019 still stands as Atlético’s record outlay. He is followed by Julián Álvarez (€75m), Thomas Lemar (€72m), Diego Costa (€60m) and Antoine Griezmann (€54m).
Atlético, currently chasing honours in the Copa del Rey, La Liga, and Champions League, will hope Lookman can justify his place among their costliest arrivals with decisive performances.
When he makes his league debut against Real Betis on February 8, Lookman will make Nigerian football history.
Lookman is set to become the first Nigerian player to feature in the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A and La Liga.
Atletico Madrid, chasing a first league title since 2021 and will hope Lookman reaches many more landmark on the road to claiming a 12th La Liga honour.
