The lowdown on Femi Azeez

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

The winger joined on deadline day from Millwall.

Richie Mills

2026-09-09T06:00+01:00

Femi Azeez scored 15 goals in 73 Millwall appearances. 📸 by James Boardman.

Femi Azeez’s rise from non-league football has given the new Brighton signing extra hunger and self-belief as he prepares for life in the Premier League.

That’s the view of News at Den writer William Scott, who has watched him blossom into the Championship's 'best winger' in the space of two seasons at Millwall.

The 25-year-old has had an incredible journey following his release from Watford's academy, playing for non-league teams Northwood, Wealdstone, Hanwell Town and Bracknell Town before getting back into the professional game.

That experience and his determined attitude may prove invaluable in the English top-flight.

Scott said, "In 2024, Millwall adopted this sustainable approach where they wanted to follow the Brighton-Brentford-Bournemouth model: buy low, sell high, build our way up, trade our way up to the Premier League and see how we can do. And Femi was one of the first building blocks of that.

"After doing well at Reading [18 goal contributions in the 2023/24 season], Millwall signed him but it took a while to settle in after being played on the left by Neil Harris. But midway through the season, nobody was questioning him starting in the team. You could tell he was a confident guy who was very, very ambitious.

"It didn't work out for him at Watford but I think playing in non-league gave him that hunger. It toughens you up at a very early age, having to get used to grown men flying in on you.

"You have to adapt to that physical nature and that can be really valuable. He's got a huge drive. I think that's fuelled his self-belief massively."

Femi Azeez spent two years at Millwall before joining Albion. 📸 by James Boardman.

For the 2025/26 season, Azeez was moved to right wing under manager Alex Neil. In October last year, the wideman scored four goals in as many games, and he never looked back.

"I think he did a lot of work on his finishing over the summer and it just exploded for him," said Scott. "He became Millwall's talisman and best player. Ipswich Town came in for him in January but he stayed on, and it didn't really affect his performances.

"Femi has a brilliant cross on him; he loves to cut in on his left foot and whip a delivery in. Not only is he quick but he is also strong. He was quite physically dominant, shrugging off players, and he's a great finisher."

Azeez finished the season with 11 goals and eight assists as Millwall fell in the Championship play-offs to eventual winners Hull City.

But in addition to his attacking capabilities, Neil also valued the Nigeria international's work off the ball.

The wait is over. 😏 pic.twitter.com/06Cg0YI85g
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@BHAFC) September 2, 2026

"Neil is a very strict coach. He needs his players to track back and press hard. Femi was more than capable of doing that. He was fit enough, plus he's brilliant on the transition," said Scott.

"I think he was certainly the best winger in the Championship. I think he's got the tools to impact games, he works really hard, and if he can make the step up, he'll be brilliant.

"I don't doubt that he's going to do everything he can to make it work. You trust Brighton's recruitment as well to know they have a specific plan. I really hope he kicks on and does well."