FEMI AZEEZ COMPLETES PREMIER LEAGUE MOVE AS BRIGHTON SECURE NIGERIAN WINGER

Nigerian winger Femi Azeez has completed his move to Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion, signing a four-year contract with the club after leaving Championship outfit Millwall.

Brighton confirmed the transfer on Wednesday, September 2, following a late agreement between the two clubs on transfer deadline day. The deal was completed after Brighton and Millwall submitted a deal sheet before the original 11pm deadline, allowing the transaction to be concluded before the extended 1am deadline.

The transfer fee was not disclosed by Brighton, although earlier reports indicated that the Premier League club had agreed a package with Millwall that could rise to around £15 million, including performance-related add-ons.

Azeez, 25, earned the move to the Premier League after an impressive spell with Millwall, where he established himself as one of the Championship's notable attacking players. He made 77 appearances for the London club, scoring 15 goals and providing 13 assists during his time there.

His performances during the 2025/26 campaign were particularly influential as Millwall competed for promotion and reached the Championship play-offs. His form also earned him recognition in both the PFA Championship Team of the Season and the EFL Championship Team of the Season.

Brighton Sporting Director Mike Cave welcomed the Nigerian international, describing him as one of the most exciting attacking talents in the Championship and expressing the club's delight at finally completing his transfer.

Azeez's journey to the Premier League has been far from conventional. He began his football development in the Watford youth system before moving into non-league football with Northwood. He subsequently represented Wealdstone and Hanwell Town before earning a move to Reading in 2019.

After developing further at Reading, the winger joined Millwall in 2024 and continued his progression through the English football pyramid. His transfer to Brighton now represents the biggest step in a career that began outside England's professional leagues.

Azeez has also made an impressive introduction to international football with Nigeria. The winger received his first senior call-up in 2026 and immediately made an impact for the Super Eagles.

On his international debut against Zimbabwe in June, Azeez scored both goals as Nigeria secured a 2-0 victory. He followed that performance by providing an assist in Nigeria's subsequent 3-0 win over Jamaica, further strengthening his reputation as an emerging attacking option for the national team.

His performances at club and international level have now earned him the opportunity to test himself in England's top flight, where he will compete for a place in Brighton's attacking setup.

Azeez becomes the latest Nigerian player to join Brighton, adding another Super Eagles connection to a club that has already featured Nigerian talent.

The move also gives the winger an opportunity to continue his rapid development against some of the best teams and players in English football. After progressing from non-league football to Reading, Millwall and now Brighton, Azeez will enter the new chapter of his career with his first Premier League season ahead of him.

Brighton will be hoping that his Championship experience, attacking ability and growing international pedigree can translate successfully to the Premier League as the club competes across domestic and European football this season.