Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman is set to make his debut for Atletico Madrid when Diego Simeone’s side face Real Betis in their Copa del Rey quarterfinal clash on Thursday night, Bold Sports reports.
The 28-year-old Nigerian has been named in Simeone’s 22-man squad for the cup match as Atletico aim to reach the semifinals of the competition for the third consecutive season. His inclusion comes just days after completing one of the biggest moves of the January transfer window.
Lookman joined the Spanish giants from Atalanta in a deal worth up to €40 million including add-ons, signing a long-term contract that runs until June 30, 2030. He has taken the No. 22 jersey and has already caught the eye during training sessions with his new teammates.
The winger will be hoping to hit the ground running as he has done in his previous clubs. Lookman previously scored on his debut for Everton in a memorable 4–0 win over Manchester City, netted a late winning goal on his debut for RB Leipzig away at Borussia Mönchengladbach, and also found the net in his first appearance for Atalanta in a 2–0 victory over Sampdoria.
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Simeone, speaking ahead of the Betis clash, praised Lookman’s swift adaptation to life at Atletico, highlighting the qualities he has already shown on the training ground.
“He joined the group very quickly, and you could immediately notice his physical strength, his speed, his ability to change the play, and his power in the final third,” Simeone said.
“We hope he can help us in the way he believes he can, and in the way we expect. And obviously, that important partnerships are formed for the good of the team, because that’s what it’s about, bringing good players together,” the Argentine tactician added.
Beyond Lookman’s potential debut, Atletico head into the tie with mixed squad news. Star forward Antoine Griezmann returns after more than a month out, offering a timely boost, while striker Alexander Sørloth misses out due to an injury he sustained in the club’s previous game against Levante. Johnny Cardoso is also unavailable after feeling discomfort during the final training session before the Betis encounter.
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