Azeez Focuses on Premier League Stability After Brighton Move

Femi Azeez has arrived at Brighton with a dream fulfilled, but he is refusing to burden himself with grand targets just yet. The Nigeria international says his immediate task is simply to adjust to a league he recognizes as a major step up from the Championship.

Brighton completed the deadline-day move from Millwall after the clubs submitted a deal sheet before the initial 11 p.m. deadline. That secured an extension until 1 a.m., allowing the transfer to be finalized before the revised deadline. The deal reportedly could reach £15 million, with an initial £12.5 million payment and more than £2.5 million in performance-related add-ons.

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I guess just settling in to the Premier League, settling into the club is a big step up from the Championship. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself just yet because obviously this is a massive jump.

In his first interview with Brighton, Azeez said he would take the transition day by day, work hard and listen to the players already at the club. He said he wanted to settle into the Premier League and establish himself before setting “real targets” for the season.

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It’s every young boy’s dream, isn’t it? Something I’ve been dreaming of for my whole life, and to be given this opportunity is like a dream come true, really.

A conversation with Brighton coach Fabian Hürzeler helped persuade him to move to the Amex Stadium. Azeez said Hürzeler’s attention to detail excited him, while Brighton’s record of developing players and its ambition matched his own outlook.

The 25-year-old described the move as a lifelong dream. He said he intended to work hard and succeed at Brighton, adding that he was delighted to have received the opportunity.

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Obviously, I had a chat with the manager beforehand, and his attention to detail and everything that he was telling me just got me really excited to come.