Diego Simeone has offered an early assessment of Ademola Lookman following the Nigeria international’s first training sessions after completing his move to Atlético Madrid from Atalanta, Footynaija.com reports.
The Spanish side secured the 28-year-old on a long term contract that runs through to the summer of 2030 after reaching an agreement with the Serie A club on a fee reported around €35 million, with performance related add ons included.
The winger, who scored a hattrick in the 2024 UEFA Europa League final for Atalanta and finished his time in Bergamo as one of their most productive attackers, came with no injury concerns and was cleared to take part in full training sessions ahead of the club’s upcoming fixtures.
Atlético’s technical staff have prioritised fast adaptation for the former Everton and RB Leipzig player, with the coaching team focusing on positioning, pressing, and timing of runs in the final third.
After initial sessions at the Atlético training base in Majadahonda, head. coach Diego Simeone explained what stood out to him as the former African Player of the Year settled into the group.
“Lookman joined the group very quickly, and you could immediately notice his physical strength, his speed, his ability to change the play, and his power in the final third,” the Argentine manager pointed out, as revealed by Spidy Atlético.
Simeone also addressed expectations around the former Atalanta attacker’s role within the squad and the collective demands placed on new arrivals.
“We hope he can help us in the way he believes he can, and in the way we expect,” he added, before stressing the wider objective inside the dressing room.
“And obviously, that important partnerships are formed for the good of the team, because that’s what it’s about: bringing good players together.”
