Zadok Yohanna will remain with Brighton’s senior squad for the upcoming season after sources close to the player dismissed widespread reports suggesting the Nigerian teenager would be sent out on loan following his arrival at the Amex Stadium, Afrik Foot reports.
The 18-year-old completed a move from Swedish giants AIK in a deal that could go up to €28m, one of the most expensive teenage transfers in African football history.
The Seagulls beat off competition from Chelsea, Manchester City, Newcastle United and RB Leipzig to secure his signature. Speculation had been building in recent weeks that the Seagulls were considering sending Yohanna to Spain on a loan deal to accelerate his development through regular first-team football.
Those reports have now been firmly rebutted. A source close to Yohanna told Footy-Africa:
Brighton’s decision to retain Yohanna within Fabian Hurzeler’s senior setup is a statement of intent.
Fabian Hurzeler’s squad is not short of quality in wide areas. Yankubah Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma, Georginio Rutter, and Solly March are key players for the Seagulls.
Additionally, the demands of the English Premier League are miles ahead of what Yohanna encountered in the Swedish Allsvenskan, regardless of how impressive his performances there were.
IBrighton operate a high press, positional play system that demands instant decision-making, physical intensity and tactical discipline from every player on the pitch. For a teenager arriving from Sweden where the intensity is lower, adapting to the system and performing in front of sometimes hostile crowds is no easy feat.
