Brighton Secures Super Eagles Star Femi Azeez in Massive N27bn Deal
Brighton & Hove Albion has secured the signing of Nigerian winger Femi Azeez from Millwall in a deadline-day deal worth over £15 million. Azeez, who made his Super Eagles debut this May, caps an unlikely journey from non-league football to the Premier League after an impressive season in the Championship. This transfer marks a significant step for both the player and Millwall, who made a substantial profit.
Femi Azeez was 14 when Watford released him.
More than a decade later, the London-born winger has signed for Brighton & Hove Albion, completing a deadline-day move from Millwall on a four-year contract.
The reported deal is worth an initial £12.5 million, with add-ons potentially taking it beyond £15 million, although Brighton has not disclosed the fee.
What makes the move notable is how far Azeez had to travel to get here.
From Non-League to the Championship
After leaving Watford's academy, Azeez continued in non-league football, playing for Northwood, Wealdstone and Hanwell Town before getting another opportunity in the professional game with Reading.
He eventually made his Championship debut for Reading and went on to make 89 appearances for the club.
Millwall signed him in 2024 for around £1 million.
Then his career took off.
During the 2025-26 Championship season, Azeez scored 11 goals and supplied seven assists, helping Millwall reach the promotion playoffs. His performances also earned him a place in the PFA Championship Team of the Year, voted for by fellow professional players.
Brighton eventually made their move after several bids, giving Millwall the chance to make a substantial return on their investment.
For Azeez, it meant a first Premier League opportunity.
Then He Became a Super Eagle
His breakthrough at Millwall came at almost the same time as his international career.
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle called him up in May, and Azeez made an immediate impression on his debut.
He scored twice against Zimbabwe as Nigeria won 2-0 in the Unity Cup, before assisting in the 3-0 final victory over Jamaica.
Within months, he had gone from being a Championship standout to a Nigeria international and now a Premier League player.
Brighton Is the Next Test
The move gives Azeez his biggest challenge yet.
Brighton are bringing in a winger who has already proved himself in the Championship, but the Premier League will demand another jump in speed, intensity and consistency.
At 25, he also arrives with more experience than the teenager who was released by Watford.
His route has been anything but straightforward: Watford academy, non-league football, Reading, Millwall, Nigeria and now Brighton.
The next chapter begins in the Premier League.