Brighton CONFIRM signing of their next Mitoma: ‘One of the best young talents’

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 21 Mar 2025 06:08 CDT
• 3 min read

News

Brighton have confirmed that they have signed highly rated teenager Yoon Do-young from Daejeon Hana Citizen.

The Premier League side are thought to have invested around €2.4 million (£2m) in the 18-year-old winger, who will hook up with the Seagulls on a permanent basis in the summer.

READ MORE: Gyokeres transfer takes shape as Arsenal open formal talks

STATS

Yoon Do-young

M (R)

Daejeon

Yoon Do-young

M (R)

Daejeon

K League 1

2024

• 19

  Games

• 1

  Goals

• 3

  Assists

View all stats

Brighton believe they have landed one of the game’s hottest young talents.

Technical director David Weir said: “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 and 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.”

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The loan is likely to be necessary because the youngster does not qualify for a UK work permit, which could be attained by gaining regular first-team football elsewhere in Europe.

Yoon has been snapped up by Brighton having played just 23 first-team games for Daejon but has quickly gained a reputation as being an excellent dribbler with great feet and strong technical qualities.

The Premier League side have matched the release clause of the teenager, whose Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) is €951,000.

Can Yoon become the next Mitoma?

Yoon could potentially become a long-term replacement for Kaoru Mitoma, who has been one of Brighton’s major transfer success stories.

The 27-year-old Japan winger was snapped up for just €3m from Kawasaki Frontale in 2021 but spent a year on loan at Union SG to allow him to adapt to European football.

He is now widely considered to be one of the best wingers in the Premier League, having added seven goals and three assists in 29 top-flight appearances for the Seagulls this season as they chase a return to European football next season.

Yoon typically plays off the right rather than the left while the nature of this deal means that it will likely be a year or two before he is given opportunities to shine in the Brighton first team.

Nevertheless, it is clear that the club’s policy of signing comparatively unheralded talent before developing it is going nowhere.