{"id":910104,"date":"2026-06-03T13:13:56","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T18:13:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/03\/zadok-yohanna-brighton-overtake-dortmund-leverkusen-in-race-for-highly-rated-nigerian-teenager\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T13:13:56","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T18:13:56","slug":"zadok-yohanna-brighton-overtake-dortmund-leverkusen-in-race-for-highly-rated-nigerian-teenager","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/03\/zadok-yohanna-brighton-overtake-dortmund-leverkusen-in-race-for-highly-rated-nigerian-teenager\/","title":{"rendered":"Zadok Yohanna: Brighton overtake Dortmund, Leverkusen in race for highly-rated Nigerian teenager"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer <\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img width=\"750\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Soccer Zadok Yohanna: Brighton overtake Dortmund, Leverkusen in race for highly-rated Nigerian teenager\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/v-QLyrOGUMju8Q-7PJ1nLB4aO0Q=\/750x500\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F05%2Fimago1076338860.jpg\" srcset data-sizes=\"auto\" data-expand=\"700\"><\/p>\n<p>Zadok Yohanna. Copyright: ImagoxJESPERxZER<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><strong>Brighton and Hove Albion have entered into advanced talks with AIK winger Zadok Yohanna, overtaking Borussia Dortmund and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the race for the talented youngster, <a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/2026\/06\/nigeria-vs-poland-preview-team-news-predictions-as-lewandowskis-side-eye-win-against-super-eagles.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Soccernet.ng<\/a> reports.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The 18-year-old fleet-footed winger has enjoyed a meteoric rise since leaving Ikon Allah Football Academy for Sweden just under a year ago.<\/p>\n<p>After establishing himself as one of the standout young players in the Allsvenskan, Yohanna has attracted interest from some of Europe&#8217;s biggest clubs, with scouts from Germany, England, Spain, and France closely monitoring his progress.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4200\" height=\"2800\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/8udX8VxCUZHzHgDtBY8cBsx4LI0=\/4200x2800\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F05%2Fimago1076715695.jpg\" alt=\"Soccer AIK and Nigerian forward Zadok Yohanna\"><figcaption>Zadok Yohanna during the Allsvenskan soccer game between AIK and Malm\u00f6 FF on Strawberry Arena in Stockholm. Copyright: xPhilipxKangasx\/xSPPxImago<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Get Our Sports News First \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whatsapp.com\/channel\/0029VagMHLcA89MZvw0Btc21\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Soccer Brighton lead race to sign Zadok Yohanna<\/h2>\n<p>According to<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skysports.com\/transfer-centre\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Sky Sports<\/a><\/strong>, the Seagulls are in advanced negotiations with AIK and are optimistic that an agreement could be reached this week. AIK have already <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aftonbladet.se\/senastenytt\/ttsport\/sport\/a\/e75x6K\/aik-forhandlar-om-forsaljning-av-stjarnan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">publicly confirmed that talks are underway<\/a> regarding the sale of the Nigerian winger.<\/p>\n<p>The Swedish club are believed to be seeking a fee in the region of \u00a320 million, a figure that could break the Allsvenskan transfer record [Lucas Bergvall \u2013 Djurg\u00e5rdens IF to Tottenham Hotspur, 2024 for \u20ac20m] if completed.<\/p>\n<p>Back in April, <a href=\"https:\/\/sport.sky.de\/fussball\/artikel\/bvb-bayer-leverkusen-und-rb-leipzig-an-zadok-yohanna-interessiert\/13534444\/35311\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sky Germany<\/a> revealed that Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, and RB Leipzig were all tracking the teenager following his explosive start to life in Sweden. He&#8217;s scored five goals and provided four assists in 18 games for Jose Riveiro&#8217;s side, showing maturity far beyond his age.<\/p>\n<p>It appears Brighton&#8217;s reputation for nurturing young talent appears to have given them an edge in the race for Yohanna. The Seagulls have built a strong reputation for identifying young players before their market value explodes and turning them into top-level players. The likes of  Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister, and Yves Bissouma are solid examples.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"6000\" height=\"4000\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/MyruxjW9J9MclSMMu3oK-kH_Gas=\/6000x4000\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F05%2Fimago1076965498.jpg\" alt=\"Soccer Zadok Yohanna scores and celebrates\"><figcaption>Zadok Yohanna scores 1-1 and celebrates for AIK. Copyright: xAdamxIhse\/TTxImago<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Czech champions Slavia Prague have monitored the winger since March, while French side <a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/2026\/05\/transfer-rennes-nigeria-ademola-lookman.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rennes viewed Yohanna<\/a> as the next \u2018Ademola Lookman&#8217;. All parties look set to miss out with Brighton on the brink of sealing the transfer.<\/p>\n<p>The teenager recently earned a call-up to the Super Eagles setup for the Unity Cup fixtures against Jamaica and Zimbabwe, <a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/2026\/05\/dortmund-zadok-yohanna-super-eagles-call.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a decision he was very proud of<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>However, AIK opted against releasing him due to injury concerns and ongoing transfer discussions. The decision now appears justified, with the club standing on the verge of a record-breaking sale.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5157\" height=\"3438\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/v1MeSUrEv3WGgImQAzgpq3kgtoE=\/5157x3438\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F05%2Fimago1076709140.jpg\" alt=\"Soccer AIK's Zadok Yohanna\"><figcaption>AIK&#8217;s Zadok Yohanna. Copyright: ImagoxJESPERxZERMAN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Should the deal be wrapped up soon, he&#8217;ll follow the steps of Leon Balogun, Ade Akinbiyi and Emeka Ifejiagwa on the list of Nigerians to have played for the Seagulls.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><img alt=\"<!-- Author Start -->Adefolahan Guerreiro<!-- Author End -->&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0f64d35abfd960f4a5a400c4bb517f7f0be6c48b655560fbdd37e59d9fc9ca58?s=80&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g&#8221;  height=&#8221;80&#8243; width=&#8221;80&#8243; loading=&#8221;lazy&#8221; decoding=&#8221;async&#8221;>\t\t<\/p>\n<div>\n<h3>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/author\/guerreiro\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tAdefolahan Guerreiro\t\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\tAdefolahan is a multilingual CAF-Accredited sports journalist and football writer whose work spans outlets like Soccernet Nigeria, Pure Football UK, and Royalsportz. <\/p>\n<p>With a sharp eye for detail and a background in college sports, he tells the African football story with depth, flair, and global perspective.<\/p>\n<p>Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, he brings a cross-cultural voice to his coverage, blending insight with accessibility for readers around the world.<br \/>\nHis portfolio includes interviews with top Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, Sikiru Alimi, Sodiq Ismaila, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.<\/p>\n<p>A devoted Borussia Dortmund fan, Adefolahan thrives on the emotion and rhythm of the beautiful game. Away from work, he\u2019s a sci-fi enthusiast and series lover who enjoys exploring how sport, storytelling, and culture collide.\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/2026\/06\/zadok-yohanna-brighton-overtake-dortmund.html\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a>Adefolahan Guerreiro<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer Zadok Yohanna. Copyright: ImagoxJESPERxZER Brighton and Hove Albion have entered into advanced talks with AIK winger Zadok Yohanna, overtaking Borussia Dortmund and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the race for the talented youngster, Soccernet.ng reports. The 18-year-old fleet-footed winger has enjoyed a meteoric rise since leaving Ikon Allah Football Academy for Sweden just under a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":910105,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2005,149657,149656],"tags":[149655,149654],"class_list":["post-910104","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-soccer","category-yohanna","category-zadok","tag-yohanna","tag-zadok"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/910104","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=910104"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/910104\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/910105"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=910104"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=910104"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=910104"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}