Once considered to be one of the brightest talents in English football, Nigerian international, Ademola Lookman’s career stalled badly after leaving his first club Charlton. Having come through the Academy ranks there, Lookman became one of the youngest players in the club’s history back in 2015.
Everton Struggle
Lookman would make a £7.5 Million move to Everton after two seasons at his boyhood club, but after a blistering start to life at Goodison Park where he scored on his debut, he would fall out of favour with boss, Sam Allardyce.
Everton, who are currently one of the favourites for relegation in football betting after their ten-point deduction, made Lookman available for loan in the 2018 January transfer window, and it was here that he would make his first foray into European football.
German Adventure
With plenty of clubs vying for his signature, Lookman made the brave decision to move to Germany to join RB Leipzig. He did enough in the loan spell for the move to be made permanent but he would ultimately fail to score in just 11 appearances for the club.
Return To England
After failing to nail down a spot at the German side, Lookman moved back to the Premier League with loan spells at both Fulham and Leicester. Despite impressing at both clubs, he would again decide to head to Europe after being put up for sale at Leipzig.
Has He Finally Found A Home?
Serie A was the next port of call for Lookman in the summer of 2022, with Atalanta paying €15 Million for his services. It has proven to be a match made in heaven for both club and player, as the Nigerian is finally beginning to fulfil the promise he once showed at the Bergamo side.
Lookman looks like a completely rejuvenated player in Serie A. His dynamic dribbling skills, hard-working ethic, and eye for goal have made him one of the most exciting talents in the league. Atalanta, who are now consistently battling at the top end of the table, have been able to get the best out of the Nigerian international and the future looks bright on all fronts.
Three Lions To Super Eagles
Lookman represented the country of his birth at all levels as a youngster, but the Nigerian national team were always lurking in the background to try and get him to change his allegiance at a later stage. The Super Eagles tried on many occasions to persuade the Atalanta forward to join up with the squad, but Lookman always hoped that a call would come from England boss, Gareth Southgate.
The player turned down the chance to switch to Nigeria on three occasions, the last time after being told by Southgate that he was in his plans for the future. After further being ignored by England, Lookman finally accepted a call-up from the Super Eagles in February 2022.
He made his debut a month later in a goalless draw against Ghana in a World Cup Qualifier. Lookman has since gone on to represent the country on 10 occasions and has already bagged two goals for his adopted nation.
With Lookman now maturing into the player that he once promised to be, Atalanta and Nigeria have one of the most exciting talents in world football.
