AIK secured a crucial derby victory against Djurgården and celebrated the win with their former star Zadok Yohanna. The 18-year-old Nigerian, sold to Brighton for a Swedish record fee, was in attendance at 3Arena to watch his old club win 3-1 in front of over 27,000 spectators, according to FotbollDirekt.
The match took place this weekend and marked a strong revenge for AIK after losing to the same opponent earlier this spring. The win also moved the team up to third place in Allsvenskan, which you can follow on our standings page. AIK's goals came from three different players, showing a broad goalscoring ability within the squad.
Why was Zadok Yohanna in attendance?
Zadok Yohanna played his last match for AIK against Djurgården this spring. He was then forced off injured after one half and missed the final rounds before the World Cup break. After that, a transfer to Brighton for 300 million kronor was completed, a record for Allsvenskan.
Now he was back as a spectator. "It was incredibly fun that he was here today," goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt told FotbollDirekt. "To see him celebrate with the fans and then with us afterwards in the dressing room, yes, that was very fun." Yohanna chose not to give any interviews when passing through the mixed zone, but his presence spread joy within the club.
What did Yohanna mean for AIK?
His time at AIK was short but intense. He joined the club last autumn and made an immediate impact. Nordfeldt described his contribution as extensive. "He did fantastically and really flew with us." the goalkeeper said.
The player group maintains a strong bond with him. "We as a player group hold Zadok very close. He contributed so much both on the pitch and in the dressing room." Nordfeldt added. Yohanna's rapid development and record sale have given the club financial opportunities to strengthen the squad.
How did AIK's victory look?
The 3-1 win was an important performance in the Stockholm derby. The attendance figure of over 27,000 shows the great interest in the fixture. This type of home result is decisive in the hunt for top positions.
AIK has now won several of its recent home matches, creating a good foundation for the rest of the season. You can see the full schedule on our fixtures page. The team's attacking play has become more varied, with several players contributing goals and assists.
What is AIK's current squad situation?
Following Yohanna's sale, the club has been able to invest in the squad. Several new signings have joined during the year and have had time to settle. The squad has a good balance between experience and youthful energy.
Some players have had minor injury issues during the season, but most are now available. For a complete overview of player availability, visit our injuries page. The team's defensive line has been solid in recent matches, which was a key to the derby victory.
AIK's next match is an away game against IFK Norrköping next Saturday. It will be another chance to build on the momentum from the derby win and defend their third-place position in the table.
