Yoon Do-young (Daejeon) transfers to Premier League Brighton & Hove Albion.

Brighton announced on the 21st (Korean time) through its official website and social media (SNS) that it is very pleased to have acquired winger Yoon Do-young from Daejeon Hana Citizen, stating, "Yoon Do-young will remain in Daejeon until the end of June, and will officially join Brighton & Hove Albion from July 1 when the transfer market opens again." Brighton has signed Yoon Do-young until June 2030. The club noted, "A loan next season is highly anticipated."

Brighton Technical Director David Weir said through the club, "Yoon Do-young is regarded as one of the most promising young talents in Asia, and we are very pleased that he chose Brighton."

He added, "We will closely monitor him as he continues to grow in the K League until summer and will look for a suitable loan team for him afterward."

Born in 2006, Yoon Do-young was a highly regarded prospect since his high school days. He joined Daejeon Hana Citizen U-15 in 2019 and was a key player in achieving the U-15 championship treble in 2021. He also participated in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup (Thailand) as a member of the U-18 (Chungnam Mechanical High School), where the team finished as runners-up, and played in the FIFA U-17 World Cup (Indonesia) showcasing his talents.

Recognized for his potential, Yoon Do-young signed the second semi-professional contract in Daejeon Hana Citizen's history in January 2024, playing as part of Chungnam Mechanical High School. He made his professional debut with the club at the age of 17 years, 6 months, and 27 days during the 14th round match against Ulsan in the 2024 K League 1 season, and recorded his first goal contribution with a valuable assist in the home match against Daegu in the 16th round.

In particular, after the home match against Suwon FC in the 20th round, Head Coach Hwang Sun-hong noted, "I am very satisfied with Yoon Do-young's active and challenging play, and everyone should follow his example."

Based on such performances, Yoon Do-young participated as a member of Team K League in the match against Tottenham, held as part of the Coupang Play Series in July 2024, leaving a strong impression on fans and world-class players with his confident play.

In August 2024, Yoon Do-young became the first player of Daejeon Hana Citizen to sign a full professional contract during his semi-professional period. He started in the home match against Gwangju in the 29th round, scoring his debut goal in K League 1 less than a minute into the match. This goal came at the age of 17 years, 10 months, and 4 days, setting a record for the youngest goal scorer in the club's history and the K League since the introduction of the promotion-relegation system in 2013, marking a significant moment in K League history.

Yoon Do-young had an exemplary debut season with Daejeon Hana Citizen, achieving 1 goal and 3 assists in 19 matches during the 2024 K League 1 season, tying for the most assists on the team alongside players like Massa.

Before the 2025 season, he was selected for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup (China) national team and secured a spot in the FIFA U-20 World Cup to be held in Chile in September. He participated in every match and recorded 1 goal and 1 assist, playing a crucial role in the national team's achievement of third place.

Yoon Do-young's exceptional talent and potential naturally attracted attention from multiple clubs across Europe, and he ultimately finalized his transfer to Brighton, which is actively pursuing his acquisition and is referred to as a springboard for big club transfers. Yoon Do-young is expected to join Brighton when the European transfer market opens this summer.

Yoon Do-young stated, "Thanks to the team Daejeon, I was able to grow a lot as a player, and I have great affection for Daejeon as I have spent so much time here since middle school. I will not forget my gratitude to those who have supported me with overwhelming love and encouragement. I will do my best to contribute to the team until the end of my remaining time, and I will return as a proud player who brings glory to the club Daejeon."

[Photo] Captured by Brighton.

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