Johnly Yfeko is here to stay as a Grecian following the confirmation that Exeter City have made his loan signing from Rangers permanent with a two year deal, and he has given his first interview since the announcement.
The club has triggered the option that was in Johnly's original loan, meaning he is now a permanent member of Gary Caldwell's squad. Johnly joined City back in the summer of 2024 and would go on to make 13 appearances in an injury hit but impressive spell in red and white. Hoping to make a big impression on the club in the 2025/26 season, Yfeko was naturally delighted.
“It feels amazing, to be honest. Obviously, it's what I was looking for from the start of the season when I signed, so now that it's finally done after a year, it feels good,” he said.
“At the start the season the manager told me to just be me and he gave me that freedom to just express myself I think that helped me in my performances, and if I didn't have a good performance, he really helped me to bounce back for the next game.”
Despite only making 13 appearances for the club – either side of two hamstring injuries – Yfeko impressed both his coaches and supporters alike. But for those who are yet to have the pleasure of seeing the 21-year-old in action, he reminded us of what he feels are his greatest assets.
“I love a big tackle and I like passing,” he said. “
I like keeping the ball. I like my teammates having to trust me in difficult situations, and I think it's something that a lot of centre backs don't have. especially with the three at the back,” he adds, explaining how Caldwell’s style of play suits him as a defender.
“It gives me freedom to step in. It gives me freedom to play short, to play long and vary my passing option. It suits me to the tee.”Despite his impressive performances, Yfeko can feel frustrated that two hamstring injuries either side of the new year disrupted his season, especially after such a strong start in EX4. Yfeko hopes to replicate his early season form this time around, using pre-season as a foundation.
“It’s going to be difficult with the injuries that I've had [to replicate form], but I'm making sure that I'm working hard in the gym, even from now, and hopefully when we get back into pre season. I feel a lot more like myself now as I did at the start of the season season. Hopefully from there, we'll just keep the ball rolling.
The injury was frustrating, especially after the FA Cup game [against Oxford United]. After getting back and seeing how the stadium was - SJP was bouncing - being with the boys again in the pitch. And a lot of months of hard work, I just felt really happy again and then a week later, the other hamstring goes.
“For anyone, not just me, it would take a big toll. Thankfully the boys around me at the training ground and the management, the team, everyone, the fans, they just made it ten times more easier to get through.”
“Now for pre-season I’m going to come in as normal with no special treatment. I’ll run with the boy, die with the boys. Whatever happens, happens, to be honest. But I'll be fully fit!”
Once the pre-season schedule does get underway for Yfeko and the rest of the squad, there will be several weeks of hard work for the team as they prepare for a fourth season in League One. With games against FC United of Manchester and Torquay United already announced, the summer schedule ends with a home friendly against Swansea City, which is also captain Pierce Sweeney’s testimonial fixture. As a fellow defender, Yfeko welcomes the opportunity to celebrate the club legend.
“I’ve only known Sweens for a season, but honestly, he's such a big character. He's a great captain too, so to be there for his special occasion especially is just brilliant. And hopefully – and I know it's only pre season - we get the win as all make it even better for him.”
Despite only being in Devon for a year, it is clear that Yfeko understands the club, and understands what it means to play for Exeter City. Speaking about the connection between the players and the fanbase, the London born defender shows a strong appreciation for the journey the supporters have taken the club on, and how their backing can make all the difference in the toughest of times.
“The togetherness of the club is what I really enjoy. There's not a lot of clubs that are fan owned. So I think when you walk in and you know that every single person that comes in the stadium has a big part to play in your journey here, I think it's really different. I find it amazing.
“It makes me feel like I'm more connected with the club, especially, when you're out and about and you see some fans and they're talking to you, and it's just like they're your mates! The support I’ve had has been incredible.
“Let's say, Blackpool away. I didn't have, the greatest of games and then the next week they still had my back and they were still gunning for me to do well, really. I think that just gave me a big confidence boost.”
Exeter City is a club, as we know all too well, that has a proud history of developing young players, and Yfeko hopes that the club’s commitment to him can help him progress on the pitch. Firmly seeing his future is red and white, he also has the awareness of what he needs to work on – and he believes St James Park is the place to help him achieve his goals.
“Looking at the some of the club’s development of players, and the big things they’ve gone on to, the development is huge for me but I’m not looking to move on. Just playing men’s football is the most important thing for me, and finding a club that plays men's football and plays in the style that we play.
“I think that's the reason I took to Exeter. Things probably could happen in the future, but right now, my focus is just for next season and season after that I'm here.
“I need to work on my heading for sure. It's not something that you can max out, to be honest. I feel I have just got to keep improving my weak foot. I feel like if I can add that to my game, then it could get me out of some sticky situations I sometimes find myself in. And fitness really - I feel like a lot of people have edge of me fitness wise.”
Yfeko’s goals for next season are also clear to him. With a fourth successive season in the third tier already something to celebrate, Johnly wants to create even more history with the club.
“I want to be a part of the team that finishes the highest that the club's ever finished before in this division,” he states.
“And I want to get as many clean sheets as I can. I want to play as many games as I can and have an injury free season. I just want to just make some special memories with, the boys and the fans and the manager. That’s my goal for next season.”
Click here to read Gary Caldwell’s comments on securing Johnly’s permanent signature.
Watch the full interview below: