Ademola Lookman is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Serie A club Atalanta and represents Nigeria's Super Eagles on the international stage.
Born on 20 October 1997 in Wandsworth, Greater London, Ademola Lookman’s rise from playing at Waterloo, a youth football club in the London Borough of Lambeth, to becoming a key figure in European football highlights his exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to the sport.
In this article, we take a deep dive into everything you need to know about the UEFA Europa League champion and 2024 CAF Player of the Year. From his early career and achievements to details about Ademola Lookman’s salary and net worth, here’s a full breakdown.

Ademola Lookman salary and net worth
As of the 2023/24 season, Ademola Lookman earns a weekly wage of £41,000 and an annual salary of £2,132,000, excluding performance-based bonuses, according to Salarysport.
Estimates on Ademola Lookman’s net worth vary, but sources suggest it falls between £7 million and £12.7 million. With his continued success at Atalanta and growing reputation on the global stage, Lookman’s market value is expected to rise even further in the coming years.
Which state is Ademola Lookman from?
Ademola Olajade Alade Aylola Lookman was born in Wandsworth, Greater London. It is believed that his ancestry is of Lagos State and is of the Yoruba tribe.
Ademola Lookman parents & upbringing
Ademola Lookman was born on 20 October 1997 in Wandsworth, Greater London, to Nigerian parents. He attended St Thomas the Apostle College in Peckham where he achieved three A*s and five As at GCSE.
Lookman's father, also a football enthusiast, played a significant role in his early sporting development. His father's encouragement and support were instrumental in Lookman's decision to pursue a career in football.

Ademola Lookman’s club career
The London-born Nigerian forward has played for clubs in England, Germany and Italy. Let's take a closer look into the details of his club career below.
Charlton Athletic
Ademola Lookman’s professional journey began in 2014 when he joined Charlton Athletic's academy after impressing at Waterloo, a youth club in London. His outstanding goalscoring form for Charlton's U-18 and U-21 teams quickly propelled him through the ranks.
His first-team debut for the ‘Addicks' came on 3 November 2015, and he wasted no time making an impact. A month later, Ademola Lookman scored his first professional goal in a narrow defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. He continued his fine form, netting a brace in a 2-2 draw against Bolton Wanderers soon after.
Everton
Lookman's talent caught the eye of Premier League giants Everton in January 2017. They secured his signing for a reported £7.5 million fee, with the potential to rise even higher based on performance. He made a dream debut, coming off the bench to score the final goal in a convincing 4-0 victory over Manchester City. Lookman even tasted European football with Everton, featuring in their Europa League qualifying campaign.

Despite this promising start, regular playing time proved elusive under manager Sam Allardyce. While Allardyce initially intended to keep Lookman, the club eventually explored loan options to provide him with more consistent playing experience. However, Lookman had his sights set beyond the Championship and pushed for a move to a higher level. His wish was granted when Bundesliga club RB Leipzig came calling, offering him a loan deal for the remainder of the 2017-18 season.
RB Leipzig
Lookman's impact at Leipzig was immediate. He scored a dramatic winning goal on his debut, coming on as a late substitute to secure victory against Borussia Mönchengladbach. This loan spell marked the beginning of Lookman's journey as a footballer who would adapt and thrive across various clubs and leagues.
While Lookman impressed on loan at Leipzig, Everton ultimately decided to bring him back permanently in July 2019, signing him to a five-year contract. However, securing regular playing time remained a challenge. Seeking more consistent opportunities, Lookman embarked on another loan adventure in September 2020, this time joining Premier League side Fulham for the 2020/21 season. He wasted no time settling in, scoring his first goal for the Cottagers against Sheffield United in October.

Leicester City
Lookman's loan spells continued in the 2021/22 season with a move to Leicester City. He made his debut for the Foxes in September 2021 as a substitute against Manchester City. While opportunities were still limited, Lookman made a significant impact in December, scoring the winning goal in a crucial 1-0 victory over Liverpool. This loan spell showcased his ability to contribute at the highest level of English football.
Atalanta
Ademola Lookman's career trajectory has been anything but ordinary. Despite showcasing undeniable talent, his early years were marked by a series of loan spells at various clubs, earning him the reputation of a “journeyman.” The Super Eagle's search for a permanent home finally ended in August 2022 with a move to Serie A giants Atalanta. This move proved to be the turning point he craved.
Lookman immediately impressed at Atalanta, scoring on his debut and continuing his impressive form throughout the season. A spectacular run in January 2023 saw him net braces in three consecutive matches – a Serie A thrashing of Salernitana, a Coppa Italia triumph over Spezia, and a dramatic Serie A draw against giants Juventus. This hot streak cemented his status as a key player at Atalanta and a rising star in Italian football.

However, Lookman's success isn't limited to domestic achievements.
He etched his name into European football history by becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final, leading Atalanta to their first-ever major European trophy. This victory marked a personal milestone for Lookman, finally securing his first major trophy at senior level after nine years of professional football. He had been a losing finalist in the Coppa Italia just a week before.
Lookman's Europa League triumph adds him to a prestigious list of Nigerians who have conquered this competition. Following in the footsteps of Taribo West and Nwankwo Kanu (1998 with Lazio), John Mikel Obi (2013 with Chelsea), Victor Moses (2019 with Chelsea), and Chidi Odiah (2005 with CSKA Moscow), Lookman has cemented his place among Nigeria's Europa League champions.
Lifting the Europa League trophy wasn't just about personal achievement; it marked the culmination of a remarkable turnaround for Lookman at Atalanta.
Ademola Lookman’s international career
Ademola Lookman's international allegiance has been a story of divided loyalties.
Born in England to Nigerian parents, he was eligible to represent both countries. Lookman's early career saw him progress through the England youth ranks, even playing a key role in their U-20 World Cup victory in 2017. He initially declined approaches from Nigeria, with aspirations of representing England at the senior level.
However, in 2020, the tide began to turn. Lookman switched his international allegiance to Nigeria, despite expressing a lingering desire to play for England. FIFA ultimately approved the switch in February 2022, paving the way for him to represent the Super Eagles.
“It was nothing to do with my parents because they wouldn’t really tell me to go here or there,” Lookman told The Times. “I wanted to build a career internationally. The decision was something that I thought about for a long time before making. To play for Nigeria is an honour first of all and the best decision I ever made. I’m happy I made it.”
He made his debut in March 2022 and quickly established himself as a vital player, scoring crucial goals in their run to second place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. This international saga highlights the complex choices young players can face when representing countries with dual-citizenship.

Ademola Lookman’s Ballon d'Or nomination and position
Ademola Lookman's outstanding 2024 saw him named the 2024 CAF Player of the Year, in the process cementing his standing as the continent's foremost attacking player in the year under review. He beat out competition from Achraf Hakimi & Serhou Guirassy to claim the award.
As such, if any African player was destined for the Ballon d’Or list, it was Lookman. His performances for Atalanta, crowned by a hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final, helped clinch the club's first European trophy.
Lookman finished the 2023/2024 season with 17 goals and 10 assists in 45 appearances and played a vital role for Nigeria with four-goal involvements at the 2023 AFCON, where they finished as runners-up. So far in 2024/25, his goal contributions have soared, as he has amassed 14 goals and 7 assists in 27 appearances.

With his eventual 14th-place finish, Lookman now boasts the third-highest Ballon d’Or ranking by a Nigerian, following Osimhen’s eighth-place (2023) and Kanu Nwankwo’s eleventh-place (1996) finishes.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ademola Lookman
What is Ademola Lookman state of origin? Ademola Lookman’s state of origin is Lagos State in southwest Nigeria.
How tall is Ademola Lookman? Standing at 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in), he's one of the tallest players in the Nigeria national team.
How much does Ademola Lookman earn weekly? Ademola Lookman earns £41,000 per week as an Atalanta BC player, but this does not include bonuses.
What is Ademola Lookman’s net worth in 2024? At the time of writing in 2024, Ademola net worth is estimated between £7 million to £12.7 million
Has Ademola Lookman scored a goal for Nigeria? Ademola Lookman has scored 6 goals for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.