Barely a year after signing his first professional contract with AIK, Zadok Yohanna has commanded a Swedish record fee for a move to Brighton. ABIODUN ADEWALE traces the enduring journey of the player from the dusty pitches of Northern Nigeria to global reckoning
In 2025, AIK’s chief scout, Herish Sadi, embarked on an ambitious talent-hunting mission across Africa.
For months, the Swede travelled through Tanzania, Senegal, Mali, Liberia, Morocco, Algeria, Burkina Faso and Nigeria, searching for young players capable of making the leap from African football to Europe.
He had spent only a few months in his new role, having stepped down as the club’s Sporting Director.
“Being able to do this for AIK—helping the club gain ground in the African market—will hopefully contribute to taking us to a new, better level. The potential of African players is incredible, and being part of changing someone’s life through our club is something I truly appreciate,” Sadi wrote in a parting note on his LinkedIn page in late 2025.
