The new Riyad Mahrez: Zadok Yohanna tells Brighton fans what to expect from him

Zadok Yohanna at AIK. Copyright: ImagoxJONATHANxNÄCKSTRAND

Brighton’s latest signing, Zadok Yohanna, has given fans a glimpse of what to expect following his record-breaking transfer from AIK Stockholm, Soccernet.ng reports.

​The 18-year-old midfielder, who joined AIK Stockholm from Ikon Allah FA last year, quickly caught the eye with a series of brilliant displays for the club.

Then, this year, after months of speculation linking him to various teams across France, Germany, and England, Yohanna has officially joined Brighton.

​The Seagulls secured the youngster on a five-year deal for an initial fee of €28 million, plus an additional €2 million in add-ons. This transfer marks the highest fee ever paid for a player from the Swedish Allsvenskan and ranks as Brighton’s tenth-most expensive purchase.

Also, Yohanna now holds the title of the most expensive Nigerian under-20 player. Given these milestones, expectations for his performance at the Amex Stadium are incredibly high.

Soccer ​Zadok Yohanna Reveals His Playing Style

​In a recent video, Zadok Yohanna opened up about his style of play, revealing that he models his game after Algerian legend Riyad Mahrez.

​”My teammates in Nigeria call me Riyad Mahrez; they say I dribble and play like him, rather than Lamine Yamal or Olise,” Yohanna said.

​Mahrez stands as one of the greatest stars to emerge from the continent. At his peak, the left-footed playmaker was renowned for his blistering speed, incredible touch, creativity, and clinical finishing. That saw him play an integral role at Manchester City under coach Pep Guardiola after winning the Premier League with Leicester City.

​In truth, Yohanna exhibits many of these same qualities, though he is not yet the finished product. He is quick, tricky on the ball, brave, and possesses a powerful strike.

​Brighton is expected to play a key role in his continued development before he is integrated into their top-flight squad. However, based on his impressive tenure at AIK, the youngster certainly appears destined for greatness.

Kelvin Omachonu

Kelvin Omachonu is a professional football columnist and sports writer with over half a decade of experience covering major events and delivering captivating, analytically-driven stories.
A graduate of the University of Ibadan, he is fueled by a profound dedication to sports journalism and the beautiful game. His insights have previously been featured in respected outlets, including IndyPress UI, UCJ UI Newshive NG, Sportpremi, and a few others.
Away from work, Kelvin is an avid fan of basketball, enjoys a great movie, and is always discovering new music.