Soccer
Ademola Lookman. Photo by IMAGO
The Spanish top division, La Liga, is set to welcome Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman to its fold this weekend, Soccernet.ng reports.
Lookman has been officially cleared to feature in La Liga, and he is set to become the 44th Nigerian player in the history of the competition and the second for Atletico Madrid.
The Super Eagles attacker will likely make his first league appearance for Atletico Madrid when they welcome Real Betis to the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday.
The Nigerian forward completed a high-profile move from Atalanta on transfer deadline day in a deal worth an initial €35 million, which could rise to €40 million through performance-related add-ons.
Although the transfer had been finalised earlier in the week, his name only appeared on La Liga’s registered squad list on Friday morning, confirming that all documentation and financial requirements had now been approved.
The timing could hardly have been better for Diego Simeone’s side. Just 24 hours earlier, Lookman announced himself in spectacular fashion, scoring once and setting up another in Atletico’s emphatic 5-0 Copa del Rey win over Betis in Seville. His sharp movement, speed in transition and direct running immediately caught the eye, adding a new dimension to Atletico’s attack.
With the capital club sitting third in the league, ten points behind leaders Barcelona and nine adrift of rivals Real Madrid, Lookman’s availability offers a timely lift as they look to maintain pressure at the top of the table.
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Soccer Ademola Lookman: La Liga clearance, Champions League inclusion secured
Registration in Spain’s top flight is not automatic. Clubs must meet strict salary cap limits and financial fair play conditions before any new player can be officially listed. Contracts are carefully reviewed to ensure wage bills remain sustainable, making late approvals a familiar feature of deadline week.
Atletico’s smooth process stands in contrast to past cases such as Kelechi Iheanacho’s delayed registration at Sevilla in 2024, when financial adjustments were required before approval was granted.
Beyond domestic competition, Lookman has also been cleared for European action.
UEFA have added his name to Atletico Madrid’s Champions League squad, where he joins a forward line that includes Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sørloth.
The 28-year-old brings valuable continental experience, having already featured seven times in this season’s Champions League for Atalanta, with a goal and two assists to his name. Last season, he scored five times and provided two more assists in the competition.
Atletico will face Club Brugge in the Champions League playoff round, with the first leg in Belgium on February 18 and the return match in Madrid on February 24.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
A lifelong fan of Arsenal and the Super Eagles, Imhonlamhen is a football writer and editor at Soccernet.ng, where his journey as a journalist began more than six years ago. Since then, he has helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and guided it toward some of its proudest milestones.
With a background in Engineering and further training in journalism and digital media, Imhons brings both precision and passion to his storytelling. His love for football runs deep, but he also follows boxing, chess, and athletics with equal curiosity.
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