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Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has thrown his support behind Ademola Lookman’s decision to continue his career in Spain, footynaija.com reports.
The former Juventus midfielder describes Lookman’s move to Atletico Madrid as a forward-thinking choice that goes beyond short-term financial rewards.
Lookman completed his transfer from Atalanta earlier this week, ending strong interest from Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, who had hoped to replicate Galatasaray’s recent success in attracting Victor Osimhen. With Turkish clubs increasingly confident of luring high-profile Nigerian stars through attractive salary offers, many expected Lookman to follow a similar path.
Look at his flow, man 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FyyYE54XwA
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) February 3, 2026
Instead, the 26-year-old opted for La Liga, placing himself in one of Europe’s most competitive environments and under the spotlight of continental football.
Speaking on his podcast, Oliseh explained why he believes the Atletico move offers greater long-term value, even if the immediate wages may be lower.
“We are all professionals, we want money,” Oliseh said.
“But the mistake people make is that they are looking at the money he’s going to make in one year. This man didn’t sign for one year, he signed for some years. And there are other kinds of money that comes that you don’t hear in the contract. You are hearing just wages. Your image rights is higher when you are playing in the Spanish league than when you are playing in the Turkish league.
Victor Osimhen feat. Ademola Lookman.
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 10, 2026
No charts they won’t top. 🇳🇬#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WePlayDifferent pic.twitter.com/MZWDl7LOiN
“Lookman going to that league is more important for football than money. Because at the stage he is in his career now, what he should be chasing now is titles and consistent money. Make money consistently, and win titles.
“And at the end of the day, you can always go to the Turkish league when you are 32, or 35. You can always go the Saudi Arabia league, with all due respect, when you are 35. Ronaldo is there, he is 40.”
Lookman has already begun training with his new Atletico teammates and could make his first competitive appearance when Diego Simeone’s side face Real Betis in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.
