Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Yasin Ayari has shared some delightful personal news: he and his fiancée, Sandra Kulusevska, are expecting their first child together. The announcement carries extra significance for football fans, as Sandra is the older sister of Tottenham Hotspur star Dejan Kulusevski, meaning the Swedish international will soon become an uncle.

The 22-year-old Ayari, who joined Brighton from AIK in 2024, confirmed the pregnancy after scoring in the Seagulls’ 2-0 victory over Burnley at the Amex Stadium. In a sweet and symbolic celebration, he tucked the ball under his shirt and sucked his thumb — a universal gesture that immediately alerted teammates and fans that a baby is on the way. The moment quickly went viral, with Brighton supporters and neutrals alike sharing the clip and sending congratulations.

Ayari and Sandra Kulusevska, 29, have been engaged since May 2024. The couple have kept much of their relationship private, but those close to them describe Sandra as supportive, grounded, and deeply involved in her younger brother’s career. Dejan Kulusevski, 25, has been one of Tottenham’s most consistent performers since joining from Juventus in 2022, and he is known for his close-knit family bonds. The soon-to-be uncle has not yet commented publicly on the news, but friends say he is “over the moon” and already planning ways to spoil his first niece or nephew.

Ayari’s journey to the Premier League has been rapid. After breaking through at AIK in Sweden’s Allsvenskan, he earned a move to Brighton in the summer of 2024 for a reported fee in the region of £20 million. Despite limited starts in his debut season due to competition in midfield, he has impressed whenever given the chance, showing composure, vision, and technical quality. His goal against Burnley — a calm finish after a well-worked team move — was his first in the Premier League and provided the perfect backdrop for the baby announcement.

The news has been warmly received across the football world. Brighton teammates and staff have shared messages of congratulations, while Swedish national team colleagues have joked that Dejan will now have “double motivation” to perform well for club and country. Fans on social media have flooded Ayari’s Instagram with love, with many commenting variations of “The next generation of Swedish football is coming!” and “Uncle Dejan loading… congratulations!”

For Ayari and Sandra, the pregnancy marks a joyful new chapter after what has been a whirlwind few years. Ayari’s rise from Swedish domestic football to the Premier League has required relocation, adaptation, and long periods apart from loved ones. Sandra’s decision to support him in England while maintaining her own career has been praised by those who know the couple.

The couple have not yet revealed the expected due date or whether they know the gender, but they have indicated they plan to keep much of the pregnancy private and focus on enjoying the journey together. Ayari is expected to remain available for selection as long as possible, with Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler describing him as “very focused and happy” following the news.

In an era when footballers’ personal lives are often dissected under intense scrutiny, Ayari and Sandra’s announcement stands out for its simplicity and sincerity. It is a reminder that behind the headlines, transfers, and match performances are real people building families, finding joy, and creating new legacies of their own.

Brighton fans have already started joking that the baby will “come out wearing stripes” (the club’s famous blue-and-white), while Tottenham supporters have playfully welcomed “Uncle Dejan” to the role. For two Swedish internationals at rival Premier League clubs, the impending arrival of a new family member is one thing both sets of fans can celebrate together.

Congratulations to Yasin, Sandra, and the entire Kulusevski family — the next chapter is already looking bright.