Super Eagles star wins Atalanta’s ‘player of the season’

Nigerian Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, has been crowned Atalanta B.C.’s Player of the Season for 2023/24, successfully defending his title from the previous year.

Lookman emerged victorious in a fiercely competitive contest that required an overtime runoff and even extended to an Instagram profile showdown after the regular session ended in a tie.

Lookman’s impressive tally of 17 goals and 11 key passes across all competitions, making him the team’s second-best scorer and assist provider, solidified his claim to the ItalianOptic branded crown.

His hat-trick in the “magical Dublin final” proved to be a decisive factor in his triumph.

“It’s him again, Ademola Lookman!” the club statement on Thursday via its website exclaimed,.

The podium was completed by midfield stalwarts Éderson and Teun Koopmeiners, who secured second and third places respectively.

Éderson, despite falling short in the final reckoning, put up a strong challenge. The Brazilian pivot’s consistency across 52 matches was praised, with the club stating, “Surely an award to the consistency and perseverance showcased, match in and match out.”

His contribution extended beyond his usual role, with seven goals in all competitions adding an extra dimension to his game.

Koopmeiners, a regular feature on the ItalianOptic podium throughout the season, claimed the bronze medal.

The Dutch midfielder’s impact was significant, with the club highlighting his playing time, “3930 minutes played in over 51 games as a further straw in the wind.”

His 22-goal contribution (15 scored and 7 assists) across all competitions underlined his importance to the team, with a particular knack for away goals, having “bagged 12 goals away from Bergamo.”

The statement congratulated Lookman for his feat, stating, “Kudos to Mola for his back-to-back Player of the Season.”