Brighton join race for Super Eagles’ Unity Cup star

Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion have joined the race to sign another Nigerian player after previously completing a deal for Zadok Yohanna, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Seagulls saw off competition from the likes of Newcastle United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Rennes to secure the signing of Yohanna from Swedish side AIK in June.

Yohanna was the subject of intense transfer speculation earlier in the summer, with several of Europe’s top clubs keen to sign him after he enjoyed a breakout spell in Sweden just a year after joining AIK from Ikon Allah Academy in Nigeria.

The 18-year-old became the sixth Nigerian player in Brighton’s history and was the club’s first signing of the summer.

However, Brighton are now keen to add another Nigerian talent to their squad as they continue their preparations for the new season.

Brighton to rival Hull City for Femi Azeez

According to a post from the Yorkshire Post, Brighton are now taking a close look at Femi Azeez as they search for another attacking reinforcement ahead of the 2026-27 season.

The Seagulls finished eighth in the Premier League last season and secured qualification for the UEFA Conference League. That European campaign is one of the reasons they are already looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.

However, Brighton will face competition from newly promoted Premier League side Hull City for Azeez’s signature. The Tigers have also been keen on the forward and are prepared to meet Millwall’s valuation as they look to strengthen their squad following their promotion to the Premier League.

Millwall have already rejected an offer from Ipswich Town for Azeez earlier in the summer, while head coach Alex Neil recently admitted that the striker could leave the club if their valuation is met before the transfer window closes.

Azeez, who suffered an injury scare during Millwall’s opening 2-0 win over Bristol City in their 2026-27 Championship campaign last weekend, enjoyed an impressive season last term and has already revealed his ambition of playing in the Premier League.

The 25-year-old played an important role in Millwall’s push for promotion, scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists as the club reached the Championship play-off semi-finals before losing to Hull City, who eventually secured promotion to the Premier League.

His performances also earned him a place in the PFA Championship Team of the Seasons and saw him earn a maiden opportunity with Nigeria during the offseason, where he played a starring role in the 2026 Unity Cup triumph.

The forward scored twice on his Nigeria debut in the semi-final and was also influential in the final victory over Jamaica as the Super Eagles successfully defended their Unity Cup title.

With interest now coming from both Brighton and Hull City, Azeez could leave Millwall in the coming days if either club meets the Championship side’s asking price.

If Brighton complete the deal, Azeez would become the seventh Nigerian player in the club’s history.