Zadok Yohanna has joined a group of Nigerian Premier League players after the Brighton youngster made his debut against Aston Villa at just 19 years and 55 days, putting his name alongside some of the country’s biggest stars to have played in England, Footynaija.com reports.
The teenager came on in the 77th minute as Brighton completed a 4-0 win over Aston Villa at the Amex Stadium on Sunday, making his first appearance in the competition only weeks after moving to England from Swedish side AIK.
Yohanna’s rise has been rapid. He came through Ikon Allah Academy in Nigeria before moving to AIK, where his progress earned him a move to Brighton. The club have already trusted him with first-team opportunities, and his Premier League debut has now given him a place on a list that includes several Super Eagles greats.
Yohanna joins Babayaro, Moses and Iwobi on historic list
At 19 years and 55 days, Yohanna became the fifth-youngest Nigerian to make a Premier League debut.
Only Victor Anichebe, Kelechi Iheanacho, Shola Ameobi and Celestine Babayaro were younger when they first appeared in the competition. Anichebe made his debut at 17 years and 364 days, while Iheanacho was 18 years and 330 days old. Ameobi followed at 18 years and 333 days, with Babayaro making his debut at 19 years and 50 days.
Yohanna narrowly missed out on moving above Babayaro, but his debut came just one day before Victor Moses reached the same milestone at 19 years and 56 days.
The Brighton winger also made his Premier League bow younger than Ademola Lookman, John Obi Mikel, Ade Akinbiyi and Alex Iwobi. Iwobi was 19 years and 181 days when he first played in the competition for Arsenal.
