Brighton & Hove Albion have announced the signing of teenage winger Yoon Doyoung from South Korean club Daejeon Hana Citizen.
The Seagulls have agreed a deal to sign the 18-year-old on undisclosed terms for a free believed to be in the region of £2m.
Yoon has put pen to paper on a long-term contract at the Amex Stadium until 2030, but he will remain with Daejon until the end of June before officially linking up with Brighton on July 1.
Brighton have revealed that it is "expected" that Yoon will be loaned out next season and not integrated into Fabian Hurzeler's first-team squad.
Reacting to the arrival of Yoon, technical director David Weir told the club's official website: "Yoon is widely regarded as one of the best young talents in Asia and we're very pleased he's chosen to become a Brighton & Hove Albion player.
"We will be watching closely as he continues his development in the South Korean League through until the summer, and then look to find a suitable loan for him next season."
Yoon Doyoung has arrived... 🇰🇷💫 pic.twitter.com/6ebDegc5Vo
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) March 21, 2025
Brighton announce signing of South Korean starlet Yoon Doyoung
In a statement released by Daejeon Hana Citizen, Yoon has bid farewell to the club where he spent just over four years of his career and for whom he made his senior debut in May 2024.
"I've been able to develop and grow so much as a player thanks to Daejeon Hana Citizen," Yoon said as quoted by the Korean Herald. "I've lived in Daejeon since middle school and I love the city so much.
"I will never forget all the love and support from my fans, and I will try to make the Daejeon football club proud."
Born in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province in South Korea, Yoon contributed with one goal and three assists in 22 league appearances for Daejeon.
Earlier this month, Yoon helped South Korea reach the semi-finals of the Under-20s Asian Cup and recorded one goal and one assist across five matches at the tournament.
Yoon is deemed one for the future by Brighton, but he will hope to eventually work his way into the senior side and potentially play alongside Japanese star Kaoru Mitoma who is the only Asian representative in the Seagulls' current first-team squad.
Brighton currently sit seventh in the Premier League table and are fighting to qualify for next season's Champions League, with just two points separating Hurzeler's side from Chelsea in fourth with nine games left to play.
Oliver Thomas
