Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman has revealed he spoke with the manager of Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone before joining the club.
The Nigeria international joined the Spanish giants in the winter transfer window, leaving Italian side, Atalanta.
The Nigerian international completed a transfer to the Rojiblancos from Atalanta in a deal reportedly worth €35 million, with add-ons of up to €5 million, pushing the total package to €40 million.
Lookman was officially introduced at the Riyadh Air Metropolitan auditorium on Tuesday.
During his presentation, the 28-year-old mentioned that he had a direct conversation with Simeone before signing, describing the interaction as positive and reassuring.
“I spoke with him and we had a good conversation. It is wonderful to be able to communicate with the person you will be working with every day. So, very good,” he said.
He continued, “My game is very dynamic, it’s based a lot on speed. I aim to make a difference in those crucial moments of the game.
“It’s a great challenge to be at Atlético de Madrid. The truth is, it’s wonderful for me to be here. It’s a great responsibility to represent my country, but it’s also a pleasure to wear the colors of such a special club as Atlético de Madrid.
“Being here is extremely important to me; it’s something I’m very proud of. It is also a pleasure for me to play in this very special league.”
The transfer concludes a long-running transfer situation between Lookman and Atalanta, which lasted over two seasons, with the forward frequently linked to a move away from the Bergamo-based club.
Ahead of the Copa del Rey match against Real Betis, Simeone, who is considered a club legend for his achievements as both a player and manager, is hoping to get the best out of Lookman as Atlético Madrid aim to advance to the next round.