EXCLUSIVE: Nigeria's Femi Azeez coy on Millwall future despite Premier League dream

[p]The 24-year-old winger enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/millwall/6uz2cJBL/"]the Lions[/a] as they narrowly missed promotion to the English Premier League in the recently concluded 2025-26 campaign.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/azeez-miguel/prrZF9it/"]Azeez[/a] contributed 11 goals and eight assists in 37 appearances for Alex Neil’s men, which earned him a place in the official EFL Championship Team of the Season.[/p][p]Thanks to his impressive performances, several clubs are monitoring the former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/reading/EmlVDpVP/"]Reading[/a] winger ahead of next season. [/p][p]However, when asked about his future at the Den, Azeez remained focused on the present, insisting that his priority is enjoying his summer break with his family before returning for pre-season preparations.[/p][p][b]"It's not up to me, you know. Now I'm on holiday, and I want to enjoy it with my kids and prepare for the season with Millwall, so that's what I'm thinking right now,[/b]" he told [b]Flashscore.com.[/b][/p][p]Earlier, Azeez spoke openly about his ambition to one day play in the Premier League, describing England's top flight as the ultimate destination for any footballer.[/p][p]In an interview with [a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/video/33727/13549115/femi-azeez-i-will-do-whatever-i-can-to-get-to-the-premier-league" target="_blank"]Sky Sports[/a], the forward admitted that his strong performances in the Championship have only fuelled his desire to reach the highest level of the game.[/p][p][b]"As a footballer, you always want to play at the highest level you can. I've had a good season in the Championship, but whenever I achieve something, I'm always hungry for more and looking towards the next step," [/b]he said.[/p][p]"I'm ambitious both as a footballer and as a person, and I want to reach the highest level possible. The Premier League is the pinnacle of football, and I would love to play there one day. I'll do everything I can to make that happen."[/p][image alt="Femi Azeez" id="6262e3a0-1609-4ef3-a249-db6b28a2f0ef" credit-line="Manjit Narotra/ProSports / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia" guid="60cccac7-826f-477e-ac5e-4d10ddc6e5b3" original-width="1400" original-height="933" /][p]Fuelled by his impressive performances in England, Femi earned his maiden call-up to the Super Eagles and wasted no time making an impact on the international stage. [/p][p]The versatile attacker scored twice in Nigeria's 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe in the semi-finals of the 2026 Unity Cup before providing an assist as Eric Chelle's side defeated Jamaica in the final at Charlton Athletic's Valley Stadium.[/p][p]Reflecting on his first taste of international football, he expressed his delight at representing the three-time African champions and revealed his determination to continue contributing to the team.[/p][p][b]"Very happy, you know. Obviously, it's a new position, number 10, and I think I really enjoyed it. It's a great team, great management, and a great manager, so I think it's gone well,[/b]" he continued.[/p][p]"I was really happy when I got the call from the manager. I was honoured and very proud."[/p][p]On what should be expected from him, Azeez added: "Hopefully, more of the same - goals, assists, creating chances, being exciting for the fans and, most importantly, hard work."[/p][p]Despite frequent comparisons to former Super Eagles star Peter Odemwingie, the Millwall forward insists he is focused on carving out his own identity in the game.[/p][p][b]"I'm hearing it every day now, but I've got to stay humble and create a name for myself,"[/b] he said.[/p][embed guid="33747264-47d1-4096-a44c-85d1ba10c02c" url="https://x.com/sportingshina/status/2062569109066256779" social-type="twitter" /][p]Azeez also admitted he is eager to share a dressing room with two of Nigeria's biggest stars, former African Footballers of the Year Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen.[/p][p][b]"Of course, I'd love to play with them. They're among the best players in Africa, so naturally I want to learn from them and improve my game.”[/b][/p][p]Born in England to a Nigerian father and a Spanish mother, Azeez began his football journey in non-league football with Northwood before joining Wealdstone in 2018.[/p][p] A loan spell at Hanwell Town followed before he secured a move to Reading in 2019. After gaining further experience on loan at Bracknell Town, he made his senior debut for Reading in 2021 and gradually established himself as a key player, particularly during the 2023/24 campaign. His performances earned him a move to Millwall in 2024, where he has continued his development. [/p][p]Football runs in the family, with his younger brother, Miguel Azeez, also a professional footballer who has represented England at U16, U17, U18, U19 and U20 levels.[/p][image alt="Shina Oludare" id="adfb37ed-25f4-485a-a07d-3a0a4cc024eb" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="2b1ef748-2e59-4b43-8bb5-528a2d81466c" original-width="1200" original-height="381" /]