Zadok Yohanna, the Nigerian teenager who joined Brighton and Hove Albion from Swedish club AIK Stockholm this summer, has been named among the top 100 candidates for the 2026 European Golden Boy award.

The annual ranking, published by Italian sports daily Tuttosport — the organisers of the prestigious award — considers players under 21 based on their performances and achievements during the calendar year. Yohanna, 19, sits 80th on the initial list after signing a five-year contract with the Premier League club that runs until June 2031.

Five Nigerians join Yohanna in the running

Yohanna is not alone in representing Nigeria among the 100 candidates. Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri, Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha, Atalanta's Honest Ahanor, SV 07 Elversberg's Francis Onyeka, and Juventus newcomer Jeff Ekhator are all in contention for the award, which will be decided in November.

Before his move to England, Yohanna had drawn attention at AIK with five goals and four assists in 18 appearances. His form earned him a call-up to the Super Eagles squad for the 2026 Unity Cup, though AIK did not release him as the tournament fell outside FIFA's international match window.

Yamal leads but cannot win again

Technically, the list is headed by Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal. However, Yamal is ineligible to claim the prize again having already won it in 2024 — the rules bar repeat winners.

Other prominent names on the list include England and Arsenal left-back Miles Lewis-Skelly, Chelsea's Brazilian forward Estevao, Warren Zaire-Emery of France and Paris Saint-Germain, Spain and Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi, Ousmane Diomande of Sporting Lisbon and Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco's Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille, Lennart Karl of Bayern Munich and Germany, and Jorrel Hato of Chelsea and the Netherlands.

A history of Spanish dominance

The Golden Boy award has long been associated with players from Spanish clubs, with past winners including Lionel Messi, Pedri, Gavi, and Jude Bellingham. Spain leads the all-time count with four national winners, ahead of France's three, while Argentina, Brazil, England, the Netherlands, and Portugal have each produced two winners across the award's history.