By Ben Efe 8.6.2026
Young Nigerian teenage sensation Zadok Yohanna who is expected to sign for Brighton and Hove Albion in the coming days after agreeing terms had bigger offers from bigger clubs, but he settled for the modest Premier League side.
Newcastle United tried to hijack the transfer of the 18-year-old player, Chelsea were also interested but according to his agent Andrei Balmos, it was a difficult situation, but at the end of the day it was what the player wanted that mattered.
“They were very difficult days,” Balmos told England365.
“A lot of work. A lot of meetings. It was not easy at all. More than four or five clubs wanted Zadok and we had to make the best possible decision.
“We chose Brighton because we felt they genuinely wanted Zadok.”
“Everyone was interested. But Brighton were willing to solve every issue which came up in order to complete the deal,” Balmos continued.
“Whatever the player needed. Whatever AIK Stockholm needed. Brighton were prepared to do everything possible.
“But the most important factor was the wish of the player. Zadok wanted to move to Brighton. He felt it was the right next step for his career and that it is a club who can help reach an even higher level in future.
“Yes, there were clubs that offered more money than Brighton, but money was not what we were looking for. We wanted the best project.
“If money had been the priority, Zadok could have gone to Saudi Arabia. We had offers from there too. But we turned them down.
“Not because the Saudi League is not good. We had to respect our player’s wishes. And Zadok only wanted Brighton.”
Newcastle United tried to hijack the transfer of the 18-year-old player, Chelsea were also interested but according to his agent Andrei Balmos, it was a difficult situation, but at the end of the day it was what the player wanted that mattered.
“They were very difficult days,” Balmos told England365.
“A lot of work. A lot of meetings. It was not easy at all. More than four or five clubs wanted Zadok and we had to make the best possible decision.
“We chose Brighton because we felt they genuinely wanted Zadok.”
“Everyone was interested. But Brighton were willing to solve every issue which came up in order to complete the deal,” Balmos continued.
“Whatever the player needed. Whatever AIK Stockholm needed. Brighton were prepared to do everything possible.
“But the most important factor was the wish of the player. Zadok wanted to move to Brighton. He felt it was the right next step for his career and that it is a club who can help reach an even higher level in future.
“Yes, there were clubs that offered more money than Brighton, but money was not what we were looking for. We wanted the best project.
“If money had been the priority, Zadok could have gone to Saudi Arabia. We had offers from there too. But we turned them down.
“Not because the Saudi League is not good. We had to respect our player’s wishes. And Zadok only wanted Brighton.”