Ademola Olajade Alade Aylola Lookman, mostly referred to as Ademola Lookman (born on October 20, 1997), is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Serie A club Atalanta and the Nigeria national team. Originally born in London, England, to Nigerian parents, he transitioned from representing England to playing for Nigeria at the international level in 2022. As of 2024, he is 27 years old.

Ademola Lookman

Early Life and Education

Ademola Lookman was born on October 20, 1997, in Wandsworth, Greater London, to Nigerian parents. He grew up in Peckham, a district in south London known for its high crime rate. Despite the challenges of his environment, Lookman remained focused and avoided trouble.

He attended St Thomas the Apostle College in Peckham, where he excelled academically, achieving three A*s and five As at GCSE. From an early age, he demonstrated a passion for football, playing with friends and watching matches on TV. His talent was first noticed at a local youth club, Waterloo, leading him to join Charlton Athletic's academy in 2014.

Career

Ademola Lookman's football career is an inspiring story of perseverance and determination.

He began playing football recreationally at Waterloo, a local youth club, where Charlton Athletic scouts spotted his potential. In 2014, he joined Charlton's academy and made his senior debut in 2015. During his time at Charlton, he scored 10 goals in 45 appearances, catching the attention of Premier League clubs.

In 2017, Everton signed Lookman for an initial fee of £7.5 million. He made an instant impact, scoring on his debut against Manchester City. Eager to experience a different football culture, Lookman joined RB Leipzig on loan in 2018. He excelled in the Bundesliga, scoring five goals in 11 appearances, including a debut-winning goal against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Returning to Everton, Lookman struggled for consistent playing time under managers Marco Silva and Carlo Ancelotti. In 2020-21, he joined Fulham on loan, scoring four goals in 34 appearances. Despite his efforts, Fulham was relegated that season.

Lookman then moved to Leicester City on loan for the 2021-22 season. He contributed six goals in 26 league appearances, helping the club secure a fourth-place Premier League finish and an FA Cup victory.

In 2022, Lookman made a permanent move to Serie A side Atalanta. Since joining, he has been in outstanding form, scoring 20 goals in 49 appearances. His contributions have been instrumental in Atalanta's challenge for the Serie A title and their success in the Champions League.

Internationally, Lookman represented England at various youth levels but switched his allegiance to Nigeria in 2022. He made his debut for the Super Eagles in a 4-0 friendly victory against Cameroon, where he also scored.

Achievements

Ademola Lookman’s dedication and hard work have earned him numerous accolades throughout his career. Below is a summary of his notable awards and recognitions from 2015 to 2024:

2015–16 LFE Apprentice of the Year (Championship): Named LFE Apprentice of the Year (Championship) for his outstanding performance and potential.

2017 Under-20 World Champion: Played a crucial role in winning the Under-20 World Cup in 2017.

2022–23 and 2023–24 Atalanta Player of the Season: Honored as Atalanta’s Player of the Season for two consecutive years, recognizing his consistency and impact on the team.

2023–24 UEFA Europa League Team of the Season: Included in the UEFA Europa League Team of the Season for his stellar contributions.

2024 CAF Team of the Year: Selected as a member of the CAF Team of the Year for his exceptional performances.

2024 African Footballer of the Year: Awarded African Footballer of the Year in 2024, showcasing his talent and influence in African football.

Additional Highlights:

Represented his country in the 2024 Africa Cup.

Ranked 14th in the 2024 FIFA Ballon d’Or rankings, further solidifying his status as a top player.

Ademola Lookman’s achievements underline his remarkable journey and unwavering commitment to excellence in football.

Personal Life

Ademola Lookman is currently single, with no public records of romantic relationships. He has never been married and does not have children.

Net Worth

As of 2024, Ademola Lookman's net worth is estimated between £10 million to £14 million. He earns a weekly salary of £41,000, amounting to an annual income of £2,132,000 while playing for Atalanta. His wealth also stems from previous contracts with clubs such as Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham, and Leicester City.

Social Media Handles

Twitter: @Alookman_

Instagram:@molalookman with over 900k followers 

Facebook: Ademola Lookman with over 50k followers.