Zadok Yohanna’s Rise Shows Talent Isn’t Nigeria’s Problem – Atuma

Nigerian fans have been celebrating 18-year-old Nigerian winger Zadok Yohanna’s £21.5m move from AIK Stockholm in Sweden to English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.

Zadok Yohanna who is seen as an incredible talent and dubbed “Nigerian Neymar”, by supporters is being widely celebrated by Nigerians on social media following his transfer and emotional journey from street football in Kaduna State to the Premier League.

A viral video showing an emotional Zadok weeping with joy while breaking the news of his Brighton signing to his father deeply moved fans online as many praised his humility and the sacrifices made by his family.

In an exclusive chat with THE WHISTLER, a FIFA licensed agent and CEO of Tabic Football Academy Prince Pascal Atuma revealed that the story of Zadok Yohanna, moving from the street of Kaduna to arriving on the adored grand tapestry of the English Premier League in a space of two years, tells a complete story of the Nigerian football where talent has never been the problem but the system and administration.

Prince Atuma described the move as a talent meeting opportunity and meritorious society. He expressed sadness that not even one NPFL club side or even the country’s U-17 scouts could see the potential in Zadok rather it was a foreign who saw the greatness, put his job on the line for him to move to AIK Stockholm who only polished him in a few months to become an asset worth over £20m.

He maintained that this should serve as a stack reminder of how much money Nigeria is losing due to lack of infrastructure for football and other sports talent development unlike the South American countries.

“You can imagine this whole money being paid to a club in Nigeria could by Brighton as against the sell-on fee his parent academy in Nigeria would receive.”

“Tell me what did AIK do that is special in just a few months, the major thing they did was to give him exposure through the media for the big clubs to see, because the talent, the skill were already there and that was why Chelsea and other top clubs wanted him at all cost”.

Zadok Yohanna began his football career at the Ikon Allah Football Academy in Nigeria before being signed by Swedish club AIK in 2025.

He rapidly established himself within the club’s structure and achieved his breakthrough in the first team squad during the 2026 season.

His incredibly outstanding performances and records attracted Chelsea and Newcastle but Brighton finally brought him to the Premier League. At the start of the 2026/2027 NPFL season, Nigerian fans will be watching Zadok adorn the colours of Brighton alongside Super Falcons goalie Chiamaka Nnadozie who is in the women’s team.