Tag: Nigerian footballers

  • Super Eagles Star Ademola Lookman Finalizes €40 Million Move to Atlético Madrid

    Super Eagles Star Ademola Lookman Finalizes €40 Million Move to Atlético Madrid

    In a report by Yahoo Sports, Nigerian international Ademola Lookman has successfully reached a final agreement to join Spanish giants Atlético Madrid. The deal, valued at approximately €40 million, involves a €35 million fixed fee with an additional €5 million in performance-based bonuses, marking one of the most significant winter transfers for a Nigerian player.

    Lookman, who famously scored a hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final for Atalanta, reportedly snubbed a lucrative offer from Turkish club Fenerbahçe to play under Diego Simeone. The 28-year-old winger is scheduled to undergo his medical examinations in Madrid within the next few hours to finalize the long-term contract.

    The move is seen as a strategic bolster for Atlético Madrid’s attacking line as they look to close the gap on Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga. Lookman’s departure from Italy ends a successful stint where he became one of the most feared attackers in Serie A, consistently delivering high-level performances for both club and country.

    Logistical steps are already underway for the “Super Eagles” talisman to travel to Spain. Fans in Nigeria are closely monitoring the development, as Lookman follows in the footsteps of Nigerian legends who have graced the Spanish top flight, such as Finidi George and Mutiu Adepoju.

    * Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano on X): “Lookman has definitively chosen the Madrid club, despite strong offers from other teams… logistical steps are already underway.”

    * The Whistler (Official Website): “The agreement between Atalanta and Atlético Madrid consists of a €35m fixed fee, with an additional €5m in performance-related add-ons.”

    Echotitbits take:

    Lookman moving to a “gritty” defensive-minded team like Atlético is a fascinating stylistic match. Simeone prizes work rate and clinical finishing, two things Lookman has in abundance. This move elevates his profile significantly ahead of the next AFCON and World Cup qualifiers, making him arguably the most high-profile Super Eagle in a top-three European league right now.

    Source: The Punch — https://punchng.com/atletico-agree-e40m-deal-for-lookman-as-fenerbahce-atalanta-talks-stall/ February 1, 2026

    Photo Credit:  The Punch

  • Victor Osimhen’s GQ Türkiye Award Gets The Naija Twitter Celebration Treatment

    Victor Osimhen’s GQ Türkiye Award Gets The Naija Twitter Celebration Treatment

    Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is trending for all the right reasons after being crowned Sportsman of the Year at the 2025 GQ Türkiye Men of the Year Awards.

    According to entertainment and sports outlets, Osimhen received the honour at a colourful ceremony in Turkey, in recognition of his standout season and contribution to his club’s domestic double.

    As photos and clips from the event filtered onto X and Instagram, Nigerians wasted no time in flooding timelines with congratulatory messages, edited graphics and playful “No be small flex” captions. Some fans joked that Osimhen is now “our own GQ model,” while others used the moment to reignite the long-running “best African striker” debates.

    From memes about his trademark mask to serious conversations about his journey from the streets of Lagos to global stardom, the award has once again reminded fans why Osimhen remains one of Nigeria’s most loved football exports – both on and off the pitch.