Scout Reveals Bold Gamble Behind Zadok Yohanna’s AIK Move
Herish Sadi, the scout credited with discovering Nigerian winger Zadok Yohanna, has revealed the extraordinary lengths he went to in order to secure the player’s move to Swedish club AIK.
Yohanna, 18, has since completed a transfer to Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion, signing a five-year deal after impressing in Sweden.
Speaking after the move, Sadi explained how he was willing to risk his career to ensure AIK signed the young talent.
‘I was really impressed watching him play as a number 10 and on the wing. There were a lot of scouts there, and we had to move fast. I called AIK’s CEO and said: ‘How would a hundred million Krona (€10 million) feel? You need to close this deal right away. If he doesn’t turn out well, fire me. Fire me without compensation.’’
Sadi revealed that he personally negotiated with AIK’s president and managers, finalizing the deal the same evening. Yohanna officially joined AIK in 2025, beginning his career in Sweden with the club’s under-19 side before breaking into the first team during the 2026 season.
Born in Bauchi State, Nigeria, Yohanna started at Ikon Allah Football Academy before moving to Europe.
He quickly established himself at AIK, scoring four goals in three matches in the P19 Allsvenskan before being promoted to first-team training. He made his senior debut on August 17, 2025, against IFK Göteborg, and earned his first start three days later in the Svenska Cupen.
In May 2026, Yohanna received his first call-up to the Nigerian national team for the Unity Cup tournament in London. However, AIK declined to release him due to his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.
