Brighton & Hove Albion has officially completed the signing of Yoon Do-young, who is seen as one of South Korea’s most promising teenage football talents. The news was confirmed on March 17, 2025, by renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, who noted on his social media channels the successful arrangement made with Daejeon Hana Citizen.
Yoon, who is just 18 years old, is set to fly to England shortly to complete standard medical tests before finalizing his four-year contract with Brighton. His transfer marks not only the culmination of extensive interest from multiple clubs but also signifies his potential rise on the European football scene.
Romano's announcement illuminated the excitement surrounding Yoon's future, as he shared a photo of the player en route to England for medical evaluations, saying, "Brighton has completed the signing of Yoon Do-young, 18-year-old winger from Daejeon Hana Citizen." Following the medical, which is expected to take place on March 18, 2025, Yoon will officially begin his tenure with the Premier League side.
Just the day before Romano's confirmation, journalist Andy Nayler from 'The Athletic' had also reported on the imminent transfer, indicating on March 16, 2025, how the player was flying to England to finalize his move. According to Nayler, Brighton had satisfied the buyout clause previously included in Yoon’s contract with Daejeon, which allowed them to make the formal agreement with the player. He stated, "Yoon Do-young will become the 18th Korean Premier League player," underlining the significant milestone this transfer marks for South Korean football.
The excitement for Yoon's potential is heightened by his impressive performances at Daejeon Hana Citizen, where he stood out as one of their youngest players since turning professional. After making his debut last season—at just 17 years and 6 months—Yoon made headlines by earning his first assist within two games. During the previous season, Yoon recorded 1 goal and 3 assists over 19 derbies and matches.
Yoon has also made headlines abroad during his recent participation at the 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup, where scouts have noted his tremendous playing style, characterized by his agility and sharp technical skills as he played as an inverted right winger. His youth performance and the prospect of developing substantially at Brighton underline the excitement this signing brings.
Despite the transfer, it is expected Yoon may not feature for Brighton directly right away; he is likely to be loaned out to another European club to gain work experience and points toward securing the necessary visa to play in the United Kingdom. This potential strategy draws parallels with the path followed by another player, Kaoru Mitoma, who traveled to Brighton from Kawasaki Frontale and then was loaned to Union Saint-Gilloise, proving to be beneficial for his progression.
Brighton seems to have high hopes for Yoon, envisioning him to grow similarly to their current attacking star, Mitoma. Nayler pointed out, saying, "He will follow the same path as Mitoma Kaoru, who was loaned out after joining Brighton." Yoon's development now packed with promise may pave the way for more promising talents from the Asian continent to take center stage within the European football leagues.
This transfer is particularly notable as it continues the trend of South Korean players making impacts within the Premier League, following the recent announcement of Yang Min-hyeok's move to Tottenham Hotspur, which marked him as the 17th Korean player within the league. If Yoon’s transition follows suit, he can not only make headlines back home but also possibly set the stage for the increasing influence of young Asian footballers.
The future looks bright for Yoon Do-young as he embarks on this thrilling chapter of his career. Fans are eagerly watching how he adapts to the rigors of professional football. With Yoon now on the pathway to potentially becoming one of the notable faces of Korean football globally, the football community awaits what is to come from this stellar young talent.