About Ademola Lookman, Bio, Early Life, Education, Career

Ademola Olajade Alade Aylola Lookman MON was born 20th of October, 1997, he is a professional footballer known for his role as a winger for Serie A club Atalanta and his contributions to the Nigeria national team.

While many believe his rise to stardom began in Peckham, London, the story actually starts in Nigeria.

Early Life and Challenges

Ademola Lookman’s journey to success is a classic “Japa Story,” a term used to describe Nigerians seeking better opportunities abroad. Born in Peckham, London, Lookman was the youngest of three children.

His parents, seeking a better life, had left Nigeria for England, with his father and one sister remaining in Nigeria while his mother, another sister, and he were in London.

Life in London was tough. Lookman’s mother worked multiple jobs—cleaning, serving as a diner lady, and more—to support the family. Despite her efforts, there were times when food was scarce, and Ademola often ate at friends’ houses to avoid burdening his mother.

Education and Football

Like many African parents, Lookman’s parents hoped he would pursue a professional career. Although Lookman excelled academically, earning 5 As, 4 Bs, and 1 C in his GCSEs, his passion for football was unwavering.

This passion intensified after the tragic death of his teammate Josh from a blood clot. The loss galvanized Lookman and his teammates, who vowed to succeed in football in Josh’s memory.

With his mother busy working, Lookman had the freedom to play football, often in the streets and cages of South London, where he honed his skills alongside future stars like Jadon Sancho and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Breakthrough and Professional Career

At 16, Lookman was invited to play for London Counties in a friendly against Charlton Athletic’s academy. Although his team lost, Charlton saw potential in him and offered a scholarship, much to his mother’s surprise.

Lookman joined Charlton in 2015, progressing through their youth teams and making his senior debut on November 3, 2015. His performances caught the eye of Everton, who signed him for £11 million in January 2017.

He made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut against Manchester City. However, his time at Everton was inconsistent, leading to a loan move to RB Leipzig, where he continued to impress.

Leipzig made his move permanent in 2019, but limited playing time saw Lookman loaned to Fulham and then Leicester City. At Leicester, he found more success, scoring six goals in 26 games, which prompted Atalanta to sign him for €15 million in 2022.

International Career and Recent Success

Initially representing England at youth levels and winning the U-20 FIFA World Cup, Lookman switched allegiance to Nigeria. He was a standout player for Nigeria in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring three goals and helping the team reach the finals.

In his first season at Atalanta, Lookman was voted Player of the Season after scoring 15 goals in 33 games. His crowning achievement came with a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen, securing Atalanta’s first European trophy and breaking records along the way.

Ademola Lookman’s story is one of resilience, hard work, and determination, embodying the spirit of many who strive for success against all odds. His journey from the challenging streets of Peckham to the pinnacle of European football serves as an inspiration to many.