AIK Football’s Head of Recruitment Miika Takkula has explained the club’s decision to sanction Super Eagles-eligible youngster Zadok Yohanna’s transfer to Brighton and Hove Albion, Footynaija.com reports.
The highly-rated winger joined AIK from Kaduna based Ikon Allah Academy in 2025 and he has since gone on to establish himself as one of the most exciting young prospects in Europe courtesy of his outstanding displays for the Swedish outfit.
In 18 appearances for AIK, Yohanna notched five goals and three assists, capturing the attention of top sides across Europe and eventually earning a move to the Premier League where Chelsea and Newcastle United were also interested in securing his services.
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Reacting to the 18-year-old’s departure, Takkula paid tribute to Yohanna’s contribution at AIK and stressed that the decision to sell him was consistent with the club’s long-term strategy, while also highlighting Brighton as the ideal environment for the youngster’s continued development.
“It has been a great honor to have worked with Zadok. We will be excited to follow his continued career – and I speak for the entire club when I wish him the best of luck in the future,” Takkula told the club’s official website.
“In addition, I would like to clarify that this transfer is a result of the change in direction the club has already made, and of all the measures we have taken along the way. This is completely in line with the plan we have set, and we will continue to follow it.
“Here the choice of club is also relevant, Brighton offers a development environment that benefits Zadok and in the long term also AIK. Our vision, and the strategies we have worked on in relation to that vision, remain unchanged.”
AIK received a €28 million transfer fee from their Premier League counterparts to part ways with Yohanna, making the Nigerian youngster’s sale the most expensive in Swedish Allsvenskan history.
