Yoon Do-young joins Excelsior on loan from Brighton to begin European journey
A New Chapter: Brighton Loan Spurs European Debut
Yoon Do-young, the 18-year-old South Korean prospect, has officially begun his European adventure by joining Eredivisie newcomers Excelsior Rotterdam on a season-long loan from Brighton & Hove Albion. Yoon signed with the Premier League club in March 2025, following a strong spell at K League side Daejeon Hana Citizen, but will first gain valuable experience in the Dutch top flight before joining up with Brighton’s senior squad.
Speaking to media before his departure from Incheon International Airport, Yoon expressed excitement about playing in the Netherlands, adding, “It would be a huge honour to play against Hwang In-beom. I’ll do my best to make that happen.”
Excelsior Rotterdam: Club at a Glance
Excelsior secured promotion to the Eredivisie after finishing second in the 2024–25 Eerste Divisie, notching 18 wins, 8 draws and 7 losses for a total of 62 points. Known for their modest resources and resilient spirit, Excelsior are based in the Kralingen district of Rotterdam and play their home games at the 4,500-capacity Van Donge & De Roo Stadion.
Founded in 1902, Excelsior have often fluctuated between the first and second tiers of Dutch football. For the 2025–26 campaign, they return to the Eredivisie determined to stay up and continue building under new head coach Ruben den Uil.
Managerial Direction: Ruben den Uil’s Vision
Ruben den Uil, 33, was appointed head coach in June 2024 after a spell working in youth development at various Dutch clubs. Despite his youth, he is highly regarded for his tactical understanding and clear communication with players.
Squad Composition: Competition & Support
Yoon joins a squad that blends youthful energy with experienced leadership. Veteran defender Jurgen Mattheij provides leadership at the back, while midfielders like Lennard Hartjes and attacking players such as Derensili Sanches Fernandes and Mike van Duinen are expected to play key roles.
Yoon will face healthy competition for minutes but has been assured of an opportunity to prove himself. Brighton’s loan department reportedly gave him freedom to choose his destination, with the only priority being finding a place where he would be “happy and able to grow.”
What Yoon Brings to the Table
Known for his creative passing, clever dribbling and accurate crosses, Yoon earned praise from Brighton scouts for his attacking flair. The Premier League club also provided him with constructive feedback on areas for improvement, including decision-making in the final third.
Yoon acknowledged that he’s still developing and drew inspiration from fellow Korean youngster Yang Min-hyuk, who recently joined QPR. “Min-hyuk told me it was better to get regular minutes than sit on the bench. I looked at myself honestly and knew a loan move was necessary,” Yoon said.
Eyes on the Future
While the ultimate goal is to break into the Brighton first team, Yoon is focused on making the most of his time in the Netherlands. “I want to play many games and score my debut goal,” he said. “And someday, I hope to return to Daejeon as a player who fans are proud of.”
His journey in Europe begins now with Excelsior—a club eager to make an impression in the Eredivisie and a player determined to do the same.