Lookman receives the African Player of the Year award

Ademola Lookman was named African Player of the Year by the Confederation of African Football at an awards ceremony held on Monday.

The Atalanta striker scored a hat-trick to help the team win the Europa League final over Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin last May, and earlier in the year he helped Nigeria reach the final of the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

He scored three goals in the African Cup of Nations.

Lookman, who played in the Premier League for Everton, Fulham and Leicester City, scored 17 goals for Atalanta last season and has 11 goals already this season. He moved to the Italian League club in 2022.

Nigerian Prince officially crowned 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆. 🇳🇬👑 #CAFA_Awards2024

pic.twitter.com/j6u7SPWpmd

– Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (@Afcon2025EN) December 16, 2024

He said: “This award is a blessing. To be recognized as the best player in Africa is incredible.”

“Four years ago I felt like my career was in decline, but now I am here as the best player in Africa. Don’t let your failures stop your dreams.”

Lookman beat Moroccan Achraf Hakimi, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, and South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

The award is voted on by a committee that includes national team coaches and leaders, but details about the number of votes were not immediately revealed.

Lookman is the seventh Nigerian to receive the award, succeeding last year’s winner Victor Osimhen.

Nwankwo Kanu (twice), Emmanuel Amunike, Victor Ikpeba and Rashidi Yekini are the other previous Nigerian winners.