Ex-Watford striker who bashed Ekong speaks on Lookman’s move to Atletico

Former Watford and Birmingham City striker Troy Deeney has weighed in on Ademola Lookman’s move to Atletico Madrid, Afrik Foot reports.

The 28-year-old made the move after accruing the most goal contributions at the AFCON 2025 tournament with the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Morocco.

Deeney tore into former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong during the World Cup play-offs qualifiers back in November, calling the one-time Greek Champion a ‘social media’ captain after the Nigerian players opted to quit training over unpaid fees by the NFF.

“I agree with the Ekong part. I don’t think he’s the one who’ll be breaking down doors to make things happen,” Deeney said.

“I agree with the social media side of things. He’s a good guy, a good person, but in times like this, you need that nasty person.

“That one who’s going to be like you’re not training, you’re not moving.“I agree with the Ekong part. I don’t think he’s the one who’ll be breaking down doors to make things happen.

“I agree with the social media side of things. He’s a good guy, a good person, but in times like this, you need that nasty person.

“That one who’s going to be like you’re not training, you’re not moving,” the 37-year-old continued.

Deeney: Ex-Watford striker speaks on Lookman’s move

Ademola Lookman has scored three goals and provided two assists in five starts for Diego Simeone’s men since joining at the start of February, and Deeney opines the ex-Atalanta forward will soar at the Wanda Metropolitano.

“I think he never got the trust in England. When he was at Fulham, they never gave him that secure position where it was fine if he made a mistake,” the Englishman said on the CBS Sports Golazo Morning show.

“He needs structure… he can get that at Atlético Madrid. You know what you are doing under Diego Simeone.”@T_Deeney discusses how Ademola Lookman has made a seamless fit at his new club, Atlético Madrid 💫 pic.twitter.com/9dfgIfZ2Wn

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 19, 2026

“I remember he tried to do a Panenka, missed it, and he was gone; that was it. Out the door.

In 2020, Ademola Lookman failed a ‘Panenka’ penalty for Fulham with his team down 1-0 in the 98th minute…

4 years on, he became the FIRST Player to ever score a hattrick in a Europa League Final, then went on to become the best player in Africa. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/B8AUozitlu

— Africa First (@AfricaFirsts) February 1, 2026

“The talent is there. I also think that at Atalanta, they trusted him to be the bright spark, to be one of the best players, but I think now, moments in time for every is perfect.

“He’s the kind of guy who has a spark but needs structure. He needs to know who, what, where and why.

“You get that at Atletico Madrid, there’s no grey area. You get that under Diego Simeone, and then he can go on to show what he is.

“I think he’s a perfect fit for the team,” Troy Deeney concluded.

Atletico Madrid will play against Club Brugge in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League play-offs at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano next Tuesday.