Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has expressed regret over not securing the permanent transfer of Ademola Lookman during his tenure at Leicester City, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Lookman dazzled fans with a stunning hat-trick in the Europa League final at the Aviva Stadium. Rodgers, who worked with the winger during the 2021/22 season at Leicester, saw Lookman score eight goals in 42 appearances during his loan spell.
Rodgers praised Lookman's professionalism and dedication, noting his impressive work ethic and extra training efforts.
The former Liverpool boss lamented not being able to sign Lookman permanently for £14 million at the end of the season, calling it the "only sad part" of their time together.
He told talkSPORT: "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.
"One of my guys who I worked closely with at Celtic and Leicester is a guy called Lee Congerton and by then Lee was the general manager of Atalanta.
"When he knew that we weren't able to take him, he took him then to Atalanta and he has done absolutely brilliant there so I am so happy, the goals he scored! Especially the second and third ones.
"He scored some massive goals for me at Leicester, he scored the winning goal in a game against Liverpool at home, it was a brilliant individual goal.“
By Olujimi Dare Ogun