Ademola Lookman has officially returned to Atalanta’s first team setup after months of tension with the club’s hierarchy.
The Nigerian forward held crucial talks with head coach Ivan Juric and agreed to fully commit to the team’s campaign, ending a turbulent standoff that began in the summer.
The 27-year-old had previously attempted to force a transfer to Serie A rivals Inter, leading to his exclusion from matchday squads and weeks of solo training.
However, Atalanta’s humbling defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League highlighted their attacking shortcomings and opened the door for Lookman’s reintegration.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Lookman and Juric held two decisive meetings in which the coach demanded full dedication moving forward. The forward also addressed his teammates, explaining the difficult situation he faced during the summer before returning to group training.
Club captain Marten de Roon welcomed Lookman’s comeback, describing it as a key boost for Atalanta as they aim to recover from a difficult start to the season. Though the Nigerian international still needs to regain match sharpness, he is now expected to feature in Sunday’s Serie A clash against Torino.
Lookman’s return offers Atalanta renewed attacking options and a chance to reset their campaign after a rocky opening to the season. With the player and club finally on the same page, fans will hope he can rediscover the form that made him one of their most decisive forwards.
