Femi Azeez

Oluwafemi "Femi" Javier Azeez Beloso (born 5 June 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for club Brighton & Hove Albion. Born in England, he plays for the Nigeria national team.

After being released from the Watford youth system at age 14, he began his senior career with non-league side Northwood. After making 12 appearances in his debut season, he signed for fellow non-league club Wealdstone in 2018. After his time at Wealdstone, which included a loan at Hanwell Town in 2018, he joined Reading in 2019. He was loaned to Bracknell Town before making his senior debut for Reading in 2021. He became an important part of the team in the 2023–24 season, before signing for Millwall in 2024.

Club career Early career quote="He took his opportunity with both hands, he came off the bench and played well, so I gave him a start and he just continued to grow. He started the last six games of the season, which is virtually unheard of for a 16-year-old at that level. It doesn't happen." — Northwood manager Gordon Boateng on Azeez's first team breakthrough. He made his full debut on 21 March 2018, in a 2–0 defeat to Aylesbury United. He ended his debut season with 12 appearances.

Azeez joined National League South side Wealdstone in summer 2018. Azeez was initially signed to play for Wealdstone's youth side, but once against impressed manager Bobby Wilkinson who sent him to train with the first team. He made his league debut on 1 December in a 3–0 defeat to Eastbourne Borough after coming on as a substitute for David Pratt. Later that month, he signed for Isthmian League South Central Division side Hanwell Town on dual registration. He ended the 2018–19 season with 1 goal in 10 appearances for Wealdstone. He initially struggled for the under-23s, failing to score in eight matches in the Premier League 2. He made his debut for 'the Robins' on 11 February, in a 0–0 tie to Maldon & Tiptree in the Isthmian League Cup, which Bracknell won 4–1 on penalties. On 2 July 2020, Reading announced that Azeez had signed a new one-year contract with the club. He made his Reading first-team debut on 6 March 2021, coming on as a substitute for Josh Laurent in a 3–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday. On 2 July, Reading announced that Azeez had signed another one-year contract with the club, after scoring 10 goals to become top scorer of the under-23s.

Azeez was handed his first league start for Reading on 7 August, in a 3–2 defeat to Stoke City. He scored his first goal for Reading, and his first professional goal, in a 2–1 win against Preston North End on 14 August 2021 in what was only his second start and home debut. After finishing the season with 2 goals in 14 appearances, he signed a new two-year deal. In the 2022–23 season, he made 23 appearances without scoring.

On 25 November 2023, Azeez assisted both goals in a 1–2 away win against Wycombe Wanderers. This was Reading's first away win in the league for over a year. Three days later, he once again assisted as well as scoring a goal in a 5–1 victory over Carlisle United. He became a vital part of the Reading team in the 2023–24 season, making 52 appearances and scoring 8 goals to help Reading survive in League One. He missed the first two league matches of the season due to a back injury, making his first appearance of the 2024–25 season in a 2–0 win over Wigan Athletic on 17 August.

Millwall On 21 August 2024, Reading confirmed that Azeez had completed a permanent move to Millwall for a substantial undisclosed fee, after scoring 11 times in 89 appearances for the club. He made his Millwall debut on 24 August, in a 0–0 draw to Hull City. On 23 November, Azeez scored his first Millwall goal, coming off the bench to grab an injury-time equaliser in a 1–1 draw against Sunderland.

He was named EFL Championship Player of the Month for February 2026 after five goal contributions in five matches.

Brighton & Hove Albion On 2 September 2026, Brighton & Hove Albion announced the signing of Azeez on a four-year contract for a reported initial fee of £12.5 million, with a potential total package in excess of £15 million through performance-related add-ons.

International career In May 2026, Azeez received his first call-up to the Nigeria national team, being named in the squad for the 2026 Unity Cup. He made his debut on 26 May 2026, scoring both goals in a 2–0 win over Zimbabwe.

Personal life Azeez was born in England and grew up in Northwood to a Nigerian father and Spanish mother. Azeez's younger brother, Miguel, is also a professional footballer.

Career statistics Club

International

Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Azeez goal.

Honours Individual EFL Championship Player of the Month: February 2026 PFA Team of the Year: 2025–26 Championship