English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion have completed a major transfer move, signing Nigerian teenager Zadok Yohanna from Swedish club AIK Stockholm in a deal worth £21.5 million.
The Kaduna-born winger, who only turned professional and moved to Europe last year, has now made history as the most expensive player ever sold from a Scandinavian league to a top European competition.
At just 18 years old, Yohanna also becomes the most expensive Nigerian teenager in football history, overtaking the long-standing record previously set by John Obi Mikel’s move to Chelsea in 2006.
Brighton beat strong competition from Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Chelsea to secure the signature of the highly rated winger. He has signed a five-year contract that will keep him at the club until 2031.
Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler expressed excitement about the new signing, saying Yohanna is expected to join the first-team setup immediately.
He praised the youngster’s attacking qualities, especially his ability to influence games in the final third and create chances in dangerous areas.
According to the coach, although Yohanna is still developing and will need time to adjust to the demands of the Premier League, he already shows strong potential and exciting talent.
Hürzeler also highlighted his pace, direct style of play, and confidence in taking on defenders, describing him as a player who will add creativity and energy to Brighton’s attack.
Yohanna, speaking after completing his move, said he is excited about playing in the Premier League and believes Brighton is the right club for his development, especially given their reputation for nurturing young talent.
Before his transfer, the former Ikon Allah Academy graduate impressed in Sweden, scoring five goals and providing four assists in 18 appearances, performances that helped earn him his big move to England.