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Ademola Lookman

~Lookman

Oct 20' 1997

Nationality
Nigeria

The Exhilarating Story...

Born on October 20, 1997, in Wandsworth, London, Ademola Olajade Alade Aylola Lookman was the child of Nigerian parents who moved to the UK in search of a better life. Raised in a modest household, his parents instilled in him a deep respect for education, discipline, and perseverance. But for Lookman, football was more than just a game—it was a lifeline. As a child, Lookman would juggle his schoolbooks and a football, sometimes practicing alone at local parks when academies overlooked him. His early teenage years were filled with rejection. Many top football academies in England didn’t see the "it" factor in him. The rejections could have broken him, but Lookman kept going—fuelled by sheer belief and an unwavering work ethic. His break came at Charlton Athletic, a club that took a chance on him when he was just 16. He balanced football and studies, earning excellent academic results while training intensely. Charlton's coaches were amazed at his pace, technical control, and hunger. This period marked his first step away from obscurity. By 2015, his senior debut at Charlton was turning heads. Everton came calling in 2017, signing him for a reported £11 million. The move was exciting, but with it came immense pressure. He faced inconsistent game time and had to prove himself again—especially in a system that didn’t always play to his strengths. Lookman’s time at Everton was a mental battle. But he didn’t isolate himself. Support came in the form of mentors, including senior teammates and coaches who urged him to explore loan moves for experience. That led to RB Leipzig, where he impressed instantly—scoring a debut winner and regaining his confidence. Switching national allegiances to Nigeria in 2022 was a turning point. Though born in England, Lookman proudly embraced his roots. He found a deeper sense of purpose wearing the green and white jersey. With the Nigerian team, he played not just for glory, but for identity, family, and the dreams of young African children. In 2023–24, playing for Atalanta in Serie A, Lookman began to shine consistently. His recent UEFA Europa League final heroics in May 2024, where he scored a historic hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen, stunned the world. It was the first-ever hat-trick in a Europa League final, making Lookman a continental icon overnight. Despite the fame, Lookman remains grounded. He credits his parents, youth coaches at Charlton, and mentors across Europe for his evolution. From playing street football in South London to becoming a symbol of hope for two nations—his is a story of resilience, faith, and grit. Today, Ademola Lookman is more than a player—he’s a beacon for every young athlete who’s ever been doubted, every immigrant family that started from scratch, and every child with a dream too big for their circumstances.

I hope for more nights like this and to get better and better. That's the key.

Signature

Career

Last updated: May 07' 2025
Club

Charlton Athletic.

  • Career: 2015–2017
  • Appearances: 45
  • Goals: 10
Club

Everton

  • Career: 2017–2019
  • Appearances: 36
  • Goals: 1
Club

RB Leipzig

  • Career: 2018 (Loan)
  • Appearances: 11
  • Goals: 5
Club

RB Leipzig

  • Career: 2019–2022
  • Appearances: 11
Club

Fulham FC

  • Career: 2020–2021 (Loan)
  • Appearances: 34
  • Goals: 4
Club

Leicester City FC

  • Career: 2021–2022 (Loan)
  • Appearances: 26
  • Goals: 6
Club

Atlanta United

  • Career: 2022–Present
  • Appearances: 89
  • Goals: 37
Club

Nigeria

  • Career: 2022–Present
  • Appearances: 29
  • Goals: 8

Achievements

Atalanta

  • 1× UEFA Europa League

England U20

  • 1× FIFA U-20 World Cup

Nigeria

  • 1× Africa Cup of Nations runner-up

Individual

  • 1× LFE Apprentice of the Year (Championship)
  • 2× Atalanta Player of the Season
  • 1× Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament
  • 1× UEFA Europa League Team of the Season
  • 1× African Footballer of the Year
  • 1× CAF Team of the Year

Orders

  • 1× Member of the Order of the Niger

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