Brighton & Hove Albion’s newest signing, Zadok Yohanna, has opened up on the factors that convinced him to leave AIK Stockholm for the Premier League club.
The highly-rated Nigerian winger completed his move to the Seagulls after emerging as one of the brightest young talents in Sweden. His impressive performances for AIK attracted interest from several clubs across Europe, but Brighton ultimately won the race for his signature.
Speaking about the move, Yohanna pointed to Brighton’s proven track record of nurturing young talents and providing a pathway to top-level football as a major reason behind his decision.
“I watch Premier League games a lot, so I know the teams that use young players and Brighton is one of them,” Yohanna said.
“They are really good at developing young talents, and I think their style of play will fit me a lot
The 18-year-old also admitted that leaving AIK was an emotional moment after enjoying a successful spell at the Swedish club, where he quickly became a fan favourite and developed both on and off the pitch.
“I had a lot of good people around me who took care of me. Everyone loved me, so it was difficult to leave.”
Despite the difficult farewell, Yohanna believes the move to England represents an important step in his career. The winger is expected to continue his development under Brighton’s carefully structured system, which has helped several young players establish themselves in the Premier League in recent years.
Another factor that strengthened his confidence in the move was the opportunity to speak directly with head coach Fabian Hürzeler before the transfer was completed.
He added that he had spoken to Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler prior to agreeing to come to the club.
“He urged me to keep fighting and working hard. I will give everything I have and I really want to win trophies with the team,” he said.
Their conversation gave the teenager a clearer picture of the club’s plans and reinforced his belief that Brighton was the right destination for his continued growth.
Having already made a strong impression in Sweden, Yohanna now faces the challenge of adapting to English football. However, the youngster arrives with a reputation for fearlessness, pace, and attacking flair qualities that Brighton hope will flourish in the years ahead.
The move marks a significant milestone in Yohanna’s young career and offers him the chance to test himself at the highest level while continuing his development in one of Europe’s most respected talent-production systems.
