Nigerian teenager Zadok Yohanna is back in training with Brighton and Hove Albion as preseason approaches. Videos on social media show him doing reaction drills and joining team sessions at the club’s training ground. This comes while the 2026 World Cup is happening elsewhere, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
The 18-year-old recently made a record-breaking move to Brighton from Swedish club AIK Fotboll. He was also seen signing autographs for fans who came to watch him train.
Yohanna's transfer to Brighton cost an initial €28m (£24.2m) with an extra €2m (£1.8m) in add-ons. This deal made him the most expensive player ever sold from the Swedish league. He broke the previous record set by Lucas Bergvall’s 2024 transfer from Djurgarden to Tottenham Hotspur.
Just over a year ago, Yohanna left Ikon Allah Football Academy in Kaduna for Sweden. He quickly made a name for himself at AIK, scoring five goals and providing four assists in 18 senior matches across the Allsvenskan and Svenska Cupen. His impressive performances caught the eyes of clubs like Chelsea and Newcastle United, but Brighton secured his signature.
Brighton’s head coach Fabian Hurzeler has high hopes for Yohanna in the Premier League. He mentioned the need for patience as the young player adjusts to a new league and country.
“He’s still young and will need time to adapt to the club and the Premier League, but he’s an exciting player to watch, and he brings the kind of creativity we know our fans will enjoy,” Hurzeler said.
Yohanna signed a five-year contract that lasts until June 2031. He is Brighton’s first signing of the summer. He is expected to fully join his new teammates when preseason training starts next month. He aims to secure a spot in Hurzeler’s plans for the 2026-27 season.
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