Ademola Lookman’s move from Atalanta to Atletico Madrid has ended one of European football’s most strained recent relationships and opened a new chapter that could benefit three different teams at once.

Atletico secured the Nigeria forward in a deal worth up to 40 million euros, a fee that reflects both his pedigree and his potential. The club wasted no time showcasing their new signing. Thrown straight into the Copa del Rey quarterfinals against Real Betis, Lookman marked his debut with a goal in a 5-0 rout, immediately hinting at the impact he can have in Spain.

That instant lift contrasts sharply with the toxic atmosphere he left behind in Bergamo. Lookman was the hero of Atalanta’s greatest night, scoring a stunning hat-trick in their Europa League final win over Bayer Leverkusen and etching his name into European history. Yet within months, the relationship had soured beyond repair. A blocked move to Inter Milan, a preseason no-show, social media scrubbed of Atalanta references, and a touchline clash with coach Ivan Juric turned a fairytale into a standoff.

On the pitch, the fallout was brutal. After 20 goals and 7 assists in 40 games the previous season, his output collapsed to 3 goals and 2 assists in 19 matches. Atalanta, who also lost top scorer Mateo Retegui, saw their attack stall and their league position slide. Cashing in on Lookman now allows them to reset, reinvest, and move on from a saga that had become a distraction.

For Atletico, the timing could hardly be better. Diego Simeone’s side have been solid but blunt, dropping points in a string of draws and leaning heavily on an aging, injury-hit Antoine Griezmann. With Julián Álvarez misfiring and Alexander Sorloth carrying much of the load, Lookman’s pace, versatility, and knack for decisive moments offer exactly the cutting edge they have lacked.

His happiness matters beyond club football. Lookman’s dip at Atalanta coincided with a downturn for Nigeria, contributing to their failure to reach the World Cup. Yet at the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, a liberated Lookman re-emerged, delivering three goals and four assists in six games and driving the Super Eagles’ attack.

Now, in Madrid, he has chosen top-level competition over higher wages elsewhere, a sign of a player focused on legacy. A settled, confident Lookman gives Atletico a new weapon, restores a key pillar of Nigeria’s frontline, and hands Atalanta the clarity and funds to rebuild. Everyone, in different ways, stands to gain from his fresh start.