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Ademola Lookman named African Footballer of the Year after scintillating 12 months

First-time winner Ademola Lookman has claimed the African Footballer of the Year award to cap a great year at Atalanta in Serie A.

The Nigerian forward scooped the prize ahead of Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, and Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy.

Lookman is the seventh Nigerian winner of the prestigious accolade. He enjoyed a startling second season in Italy, bagging 17 goals and 10 assists in 45 appearances in all competitions.

The Europa League final was a major highlight for Lookman. He scored a historic hat-trick as Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 to claim the title.

He became only the second player ever to have scored a treble in a European final for an Italian club, emulating AC Milan’s Pierino Prati (1969).

Lookman has continued in the same vein this season, chipping in with 12 goals in Serie A. His winner against Milan earlier this month helped the side set a new record for successive league wins.

His three goals on the continent took the Super Eagles to runners-up at the Africa Cup of Nations, and he took his place in the Team of the Tournament.

He was the only African nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or, finishing 14th in the final standings.

Related TopicsAtalanta Nigeria Serie A

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