Zadok Yohanna’s journey to Brighton and the Premier League, as told by his mentors | OneFootball

From gravel academy pitches in Nigeria to Brighton, Zadok Yohanna’s rise has been rapid and emotional. Weeks before his 19th birthday he signed a five-year deal and then broke down while phoning home.

According to NY Times, AIK chief scout and mentor Herish Sadi was beside him as he failed to reach his mum, who was at work, and spoke to his dad.

Raised in Bauchi as one of nine siblings, he joined Kaduna’s Ikon Allah academy at 11 on a family friend’s recommendation. Founder Ayi Mohammed housed him for six years, nurturing a talent honed on gravel rather than grass.

Sadi spotted him at a Kaduna showcase in 2025 and drove through a $350,000 move to AIK, then helped with visas, diet and video feedback. Yohanna hit four in three for the under-19s, made six Allsvenskan appearances in 2025, and in 2026 logged two goals and two assists in seven league matches.

Interest followed from leading clubs across England, Germany, France, Spain and Italy, yet Brighton’s development pathway won out. He debuted against Aston Villa in August, made three substitute outings, then missed four games with a minor issue, with Fabian Hurzeler stressing careful adaptation and hoping for contributions after the international break.

Ikon Allah plan to reinvest their FIFA solidarity payment in facilities. The academy, which produced Sevilla and Nigeria winger Chidera Ejuke and now has Yohanna’s brother Benjamin, has seen him become Nigeria’s costliest teenage export, surpassing Mikel John Obi’s 2006 switch to Chelsea.

Source: NY Times

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”