Brighton have completed the signing of Nigeria international winger Femi Azeez from Millwall, marking a significant addition to their attacking options ahead of the new season.
The 25-year-old demonstrated his quality last season with an impressive return of 11 goals and eight assists across 37 Championship appearances, a performance that earned him recognition in the PFA Championship team of the year.
Azeez had been actively seeking a move to the Premier League, and his determination proved successful after the Seagulls persisted with their pursuit. Millwall rejected at least three separate bids from Brighton in recent weeks before the two clubs finally reached an agreement.
What is the financial structure of the deal?
The transfer represents a club record sale for Millwall. The Lions will receive an initial payment of £12.5m, with the total package potentially exceeding £15m through performance-related add-ons that could be triggered during Azeez's time at the south coast club.
Azeez originally joined Millwall from Reading for approximately £1m in 2024 and was entering the final two years of his contract with the Championship side.
How does this fit into Brighton's summer activity?
The acquisition of Azeez represents Brighton's 11th signing of the summer transfer window, demonstrating the club's ambition to strengthen their squad. This comes after their club record outlay of £45m to secure Tottenham centre-back Luka Vuskovic.
Brighton have also generated substantial revenue through player departures. Most notably, midfielder Carlos Baleba completed a £70m transfer to Manchester United, while Liverpool have been linked with winger Yankuba Minteh, though the Seagulls have rejected multiple bids for the Gambian international.
What was Azeez's situation at Millwall?
Azeez had fallen out of favour with Millwall manager Alex Neil in the weeks leading up to his departure, being excluded from the Lions' matchday squads for their three most recent fixtures. This absence from the team highlighted the urgency of finding a new club and may have accelerated negotiations between the two sides.
Championship rivals Wrexham had also registered their interest in the attacker, but Brighton's Premier League status and financial resources proved decisive in securing his services.
Key Facts
- Azeez scored 11 goals and provided 8 assists in 37 Championship games last season, earning PFA team of the year recognition
- The deal is structured at £12.5m upfront with potential add-ons taking the total to £15m
- Brighton have now made 11 summer signings, including £45m centre-back Luka Vuskovic
- The transfer represents Millwall's largest ever sale
- Azeez had been excluded from Millwall's recent matchday squads under manager Alex Neil
