Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, has shared his thoughts on Ademola Lookman joining his side in the January 2026 transfer window.
After a winter window defined by high-stakes negotiations and a late-night tug-of-war with Fenerbahçe, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has finally spoken for the first time about the club’s marquee signing, Ademola Lookman.
The Nigerian superstar, who completed his move to the Metropolitano on the final day of the window, has been the subject of intense speculation since the summer. However, Simeone’s first public comments suggest that the wait was well worth it for the Rojiblancos.
Addressing the media following Lookman’s first two training sessions in the Spanish capital, the Argentine tactician did not hold back his admiration for the AFCON hero.
"He joined the group very quickly," Simeone stated, as quoted by Football Espana. "You could immediately notice his physical strength, his speed, his ability to change the play, and his power in the final third."
Simeone’s remarks confirm that Lookman was not just a panic buy on deadline day, but a calculated acquisition designed to inject raw power into Atletico’s attack. The "tricky winger" had long been on Simeone’s radar, but it was the club’s ability to move ahead of Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe in the eleventh hour that secured the deal.
The focus now shifts to how quickly "Cholo" will integrate the Super Eagle into his tactical setup. With a crucial clash against Real Betis looming this Thursday, Simeone hinted that fans might not have to wait long to see the new man in action.
"We hope he can help us in the way he believes he can, and in the way we expect," Simeone added, a classic "Cholo" challenge that places the weight of expectation squarely on Lookman’s shoulders.
Having already impressed his teammates during his first 48 hours in Madrid, the stage is set for a potential debut on Thursday night. If Lookman can translate that "power in the final third" to the pitch, Atletico may have just found the final piece of their Champions League puzzle.
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