The former Marseille player admitted that a holiday meeting with Nigeria's Lookman left a strong impression of life in Bergamo.
The 23-year-old English winger was introduced as an Atalanta player on Thursday after joining from Bologna on a loan deal that includes an option and a conditional obligation to buy. Atalanta announced the transfer on September 1, with Rowe taking the No. 11 jersey previously worn by Lookman.
Rowe's transfer to Atalanta followed several weeks of negotiations, but the club received an unexpected boost from a player who already experienced life in Bergamo.
That player was Lookman, the Nigerian international who spent three and a half seasons at Atalanta before completing a permanent move to Atlético Madrid in February. During his time in Italy, the Super Eagles forward helped Atalanta win the 2024 Europa League, scoring a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
Rowe said he met Lookman while both were on vacation during the summer. Their conversation provided him with a personal account of what it’s like to play for Atalanta, and Rowe admitted that the Nigerian's words influenced his choice.
“I'm very happy to start with Atalanta. It's been a long journey over the past few weeks, but we've finally reached this goal,” Rowe said at his presentation, per TMW. “I hope to do great things here in Bergamo.”
Asked whether it was fair to compare him with Lookman, Rowe made it clear that he wanted to build his own identity rather than copy the Nigerian.
“I'd like to thank the owners, especially Luca Percassi and Giuntoli, for the deal. I think Lookman is a great player. I saw him on vacation, and he spoke highly of Atalanta. This motivated me to choose Atalanta as my destination. He has his qualities on the pitch, and I have mine. We're different, but I hope to use my skills to help Atalanta achieve our goals.”
Lookman joined Atalanta from RB Leipzig in August 2022 and became an important attacking player before leaving for Atlético. However, the Super Eagles winger's relationship with the club soured in his later days in Bergamo after he was denied the chance to join PSG last summer.
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