A year ago, few football fans outside northern Nigeria had heard of Zadok Yohanna.
Today, the teenager from Bauchi State is one of the most sought-after young footballers in Europe after securing a move to Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal reportedly worth £21.5 million.
From former Senate President Bukola Saraki to thousands of other football fans across Nigeria, Yohanna’s inspirational rise has flooded social media timelines.
Beyond the inspirational nature of his story, the transfer is remarkable for several other reasons. Reports indicate that the deal surpassed the highest fee ever paid for a player from Sweden’s top division, underlining just how highly the teenager is rated.
The BBC reports that Yohanna’s transfer is valued at £21.5 million, pending regulatory approvals.
The fee makes him the most expensive Nigerian teenage footballer ever, surpassing the £16 million (approximately) that Chelsea paid for John Obi Mikel from Lyn Oslo in 2006.
Brighton announced Yohana’s signing on their official website, confirming that the former Ikon Allah academy product has put pen to paper on a five-year contract running until 2031.
The move comes just one year after he turned professional, and he now holds the record for the highest transfer fee ever paid for a player moving from Scandinavia to a top European league.
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler spoke highly of the 18-year-old’s talent, expressing confidence that he will become a valuable attacking asset for the team, even though he will require some time to adjust.
“I’m looking forward to working with Zadok. Having seen his games and his attributes, he is a player that can impact games in the final third,” he said.
