Ademola Lookman: Brendan Rodgers Showers Atalanta Star With Praise After Europa League Masterclass

• Ademola Lookman is the talk of the town following his Europa League final display
• Fans, pundits, coaches, and players have been lauding the Atalanta star since the final
• Celtic boss, Brendan Rodgers, recalled when he coached the Nigerian at Leicester City

Ademola Lookman was on fire in the Europa League final, pitting Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen.

The Nigerian international bagged a hat-trick to help the Italian side win their first trophy in six decades.

Former Leicester City boss, Brendan Rodgers, has reflected on Lookman's performance and career.

Lookman scored twice in the first half against favourites Leverkusen before securing the title with a superb striker late in the second half. With that hat-trick, he etched his name in the history books.

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The 26-year-old has now scored 15 goals in the 2023/24 season. He also scored vital goals in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria.

Lookman has been a journeyman in his career. He has played for Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham, Charlton Athletic, and Atalanta. However, it seems he has settled in Italy.

Rodgers on Lookman

Rodgers spoke about how Leicester failed to sign him on a permanent deal during the 2021/22.

"The only sad part for us [at Leicester] was that, at the end of that season, we could have bought him for £14 million but you think back to that summer, we couldn't sign any players," he told Talksport.

Lookman spent the 2021/22 season on loan at Leicester from RB Leipzig, scoring important goals under Rodgers. He commended Lookman's talent and professionalism.

"I took him in, and he was absolutely brilliant. What a professional he is, the way he looks after himself, the extra work he does in training."

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The former Liverpool boss was pleased with his performance in the Europa League final.

"Those goals that he scored, he practices those after training, he would always do extra training. His professionalism was unbelievable."

"I am so happy, the goals he scored! Especially the second and third ones...I am so happy he has flourished his talents on such a big occasion," the Celtic boss added.

Leipzig sold Lookman to Atalanta in 2022 and has scored 30 times in 76 appearances, per Transfermarkt.

Finidi praises Lookman

Sports Brief earlier reported on Nigeria coach, Finidi George, applauding Lookman's performance in the Europa League final.

The 53-year-old saw Lookman's brilliance up close as an assistant coach during the 2023 AFCON. Finidi said he looks forward to working with him as head coach.