"He's a magician" - Ex-Brentford winger lauds Ademola Lookman in Atletico draw vs Club Brugge

Super Eagles and Atletico Madrid forward Ademola Olajade Lookman has drawn praise from former America and Brentford winger Michele Mike Grella, Afrik Foot reports.

Lookman enjoyed the best part of his four years at Atalanta before last summer, when the club denied him his preferred move to Inter Milan.

However, the 2024 CAF Player of the Year regained his confidence at the AFCON 2025 tournament, scoring three goals and setting up another four for his teammates, accruing the most goal contributions at the tournament in Morocco.

Lookman’s display forced Atletico Madrid and Fenerbahce into a tussle for his signature, and ultimately, he opted to go with Diego Simeone’s side.

Ademola Lookman unveiled as an Atletico Madrid player. Photo by IMAGO

Mike Grella lauds Ademola Lookman

Lookman had two goals in two starts for Los Rojiblancos, but he added another goal to his catalogue in their 3-3 draw against Club Brugge last night, and Grella was pleased with the display of the Nigerian.

“This guy is a magician on the dribble, 1v1. He goes by guys, sometimes by pace, sometimes without even touching the ball. Just the movements work fine,” the former Brentford winger said on the CBS Sports Golazo Morning show.

Mike Grella answers questions from members of the media during New York Red Bulls Media Day. Photo by IMAGO

“He is a special player, you know. I heard the English guys on the Champions League show today talking about him and his struggles about his time in England.

“In Italy, if one of the teams had kept him, maybe Inter or Milan, I think he was good enough to tilt the scudetto race at the start of the season because of how highly I think of him.

“I think he’s a good fit at Atletico Madrid, I think he’ll give them a spark. Obviously, he has to learn his new teammates and how they want to play, but he’ll soar there, I’m sure of it,” the American concluded.