Nigeria international, Ademola Lookman has written a farewell message for Atalanta supporters after completing a move to Atletico Madrid.
The former African Footballer of the Year joined Diego Simeone’s side on a permanent transfer from Atalanta in the January transfer window.
He signed a four-and-half-year deal with the LaLiga giants with the Spanish side paying their Italian counterparts €40m to secure his services.
In 2022, Lookman left Bundesliga club, RB Leipzig to join Atalanta and went on to score 55 goals, and registered 27 assists during his stint with La Dea.
He has also played for Charlton Athletic, Everton, Fulham and Leicester City all in England.
Writing his goodbye on X, Lookman, who was one of Nigeria’s key players at the recent African Cup of Nations, said, “To the Atalanta family, after nearly four years, the time has come for me to say goodbye. From the moment I arrived in Bergamo, you welcomed me like one of your own and pushed me to be the best version of myself.
“Together we made history. European champions, a night none of us will ever forget. Scoring a hat-trick in a European final and lifting a trophy with this club after a 61 year trophy drought will stay with me. Winning the Africa Player of the year award in 2024 as an Atalanta player will forever stay with me. Those moments, those emotions, those nights under the lights, they’re engraved in my heart.
“Thank you to my teammates, the staff, the club. To the fans, your passion, your belief, your energy meant everything. From day one, you stood by me and by this team through every moment. Your passion, your voices, your belief never faded and together we achieved.
“Every cheer, every banner, every away trip meant something. Thank you for making Bergamo feel like home and for giving me memories I’ll carry forever. Grazie di tutto, ciao”
