Brighton star breaks silence on Zadok Yohanna’s next step — “We’ll see”

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Yasin Ayari has shared his thoughts on the long-term future of Nigerian youngster Zadok Yohanna at the club, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 18-year-old was one of the most sought-after youngsters in Europe earlier this summer after impressing at Swedish side AIK, before completing a move to Brighton in a deal worth up to €30 million.

Yohanna had only joined AIK in 2025 from Ikon Allah Academy, but quickly made an impression at the Swedish club and went on to become the most expensive player in their history when he moved to Brighton.

However, the Nigerian youngster has been gradually eased into the Brighton first team this season, making just three appearances across all competitions, including one in the Premier League.

Zadok Yohanna of Brighton. Copyright: Imago

He has since suffered an injury and missed several games for the club but is expected to return after the international break, when he will compete for a place in the team alongside fellow Nigerian Femi Azeez, who also joined Brighton during the summer transfer window.

Yasin Ayari reveals what could happen to Zadok Yohanna at Brighton

Ayari admitted that it has been enjoyable having Yohanna at Brighton, especially because the Nigerian followed a similar path to his own career.

The Swedish midfielder also joined Brighton from AIK in 2023 and has tried to help Yohanna settle into life at the Premier League club.

“It’s fun having someone who has played in Sweden, who knows AIK and also played with my brother. So it’s fun that he has come to Brighton and trains with us and plays with us. I have tried to help him as much as I can”, Ayari told Expressen.

Brighton have built a reputation for developing young players, including sending them out on loan before they eventually return and compete for regular first-team minutes.

Ayari himself followed that route after joining Brighton from AIK in 2023, spending time on loan at Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers before establishing himself at the club.

However, the 22-year-old admitted it is still too early to know whether Yohanna will follow the same path, especially because he has not played enough matches since arriving at Brighton.

Yasin Ayari of Sweden looks on. Copyright: ImagoxHeulerxAndrey/DiaEsportivo

“It’s difficult to say because he hasn’t played that many matches. So we’ll see when he comes back. We can analyse it after that.

“We’ll see. Maybe everyone doesn’t need to take that route. He might be ready, I don’t know. But we’ll see”, he added.

Zadok Yohanna in action for Brighton. Copyright: IMAGO

Yohanna’s injury also saw him miss out on another Nigeria call-up for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar on Friday and Guinea-Bissau next week. The youngster had previously missed the 2026 Unity Cup while he was still at AIK because of another injury setback.

He will now be hoping to return to action as soon as the international break ends and get back on the pitch for Brighton.