Brighton & Hove Albion have secured the signing of winger Femi Azeez from Millwall for a fee of £15 million, a player whose professional journey began with Wealdstone. The deal was finalised 10 hours after the summer transfer window closed, as reported by www.wearebrighton.com, and represents a club-record sale for Millwall.
Azeez's path to the Premier League is a remarkable one. He started his non-league career with Northwood in the eighth tier in 2018 before joining Wealdstone's Under-18s. His performances there earned him a move to the senior side, where he made 10 appearances and scored one goal for the Stones, a club nicknamed the Geordies despite being based in the London Borough of Ealing. During his time at Grosvenor Vale, he also had a brief four-game loan spell at Hanwell Town in the Isthmian South Central division.
How did Azeez develop after leaving Wealdstone?
Femi Azeez departed Wealdstone for Reading's Under-23s in September 2019. He spent three-and-a-half years with the Royals, making 89 appearances. His most productive season came in the 2023-24 League One campaign, where he scored nine goals and provided 11 assists. This form prompted a £1 million move to Millwall. At The Den, Azeez truly flourished. He played 34 times in his first season, scoring twice with five assists. Last season, he was a standout, scoring 11 goals and providing eight assists, earning a place in the PFA Championship Team of the Season. His international career also took off with a first Nigeria call-up in May, where he marked his debut with a brace in a 2-0 win over Zimbabwe.
What does Azeez bring to Brighton's attack?
The left-footed winger, who typically plays on the right side, is a direct and creative force. For Millwall last season, he attempted an average of 8.57 balls into the penalty area per 90 minutes, highlighting his willingness to take on defenders and deliver. Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright drew a comparison, saying, "Something Femi Azeez has done after Brighton paid £15 million to sign the Millwall winger." Wright also referenced "Jamie Vardy at Leicester City," pointing to the unconventional, non-league origin story. However, analysts note Azeez needs to refine his decision-making, as he can sometimes run into trouble or take low-percentage shots when a pass is available, a trait similar to Brighton's Yankuba Minteh.
Where does Wealdstone stand as the season progresses?
While one of their former talents reaches the top flight, Wealdstone are navigating their own campaign in the National League. As of this week, the Stones sit 18th in the table with 5 points from their opening five matches, recording one win, two draws, and two losses. Their recent form reads WDLLD. The team has scored 6 goals but conceded 7, giving them a -1 goal difference. They currently find themselves 8 points behind early leaders Boreham Wood in the title race. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on our standings and fixtures pages.
What was the negotiation process for the transfer?
Brighton's pursuit of Femi Azeez was not straightforward. Millwall rejected two initial bids from the Seagulls, reported to be worth £10 million and then £12 million, before finally accepting the £15 million offer. This fee shatters Millwall's previous record for a player sale. The protracted negotiations meant the deal was only completed well after the official deadline had passed, utilizing the window's extended submission period. Azeez's rise from the eighth tier with Northwood, through Wealdstone, Reading, and Millwall, to a Premier League club for eight figures is a modern football fairytale. The winger will now look to establish himself in Roberto De Zerbi's squad as the Premier League season unfolds.
