Yasin Ayari left Swedish side AIK Fotboll for Brighton & Hove Albion in the January transfer window.
The 19-year-old was of the belief he would be limited to the Seagulls’ training facilities and had to wait until next season to make an appearance for the club. He was proved wrong when Roberto De Zerbi handed him his Brighton debut in their FA Cup win over Grimsby Town last month.
Ayari also made his first league appearance in Brighton’s win over AFC Bournemouth earlier this month, and speaking to Sportbladet, the midfielder expressed his delight over featuring for the Premier League side, just months after arriving at The Amex.
The Sweden international has also revealed the former Sassuolo manager was the main reason behind his decision to join Brighton in the winter market.
“De Zerbi was the biggest reason I came here. I know that even if I don’t play, I will develop a lot in training. The short time I’ve been here, I feel like I’ve become a new player,” he said.
The newspaper then asked Brighton’s January addition to explain what makes De Zerbi’s special.
Responding to that, Ayari explained: “Magical. The best manager in the world. When it comes to tactics, I’ve never seen anyone like him in my life. I’m the kind of person who studies football a lot. I have studied a lot of coaches and he is one of them… When it comes to small details, he can’t be compared to others.”
The Swede has also revealed he’s quickly adjusted to his new life at Brighton.
“I’m a footballer who wants to play this way, and that was one of the big reasons I came here. For De Zerbi and Brighton. Brighton as a club is good at developing youngsters and then De Zerbi was here playing the football I love …. It is difficult in the Premier League. It is miles away. But I think I’ve gotten into it quickly, that it’s been easy,” Ayari added.
