Eric Chelle alert: Super Eagles target gets Man United legend Rooney’s endorsement

Wayne Rooney has thrown his support behind Super Eagles-eligible winger Femi Azeez after the Millwall star enjoyed the best season of his career in the English Championship, Afrik-Foot reports.

The former Manchester United and England captain believes the 24-year-old possesses the intelligence and attacking quality needed to succeed in the Premier League.

Rooney’s comments will likely excite Éric Chelle and the Super Eagles coaching crew ahead of the 2026 Unity Cup.

Azeez was one of the standout attacking players in the Championship during the 2025/26 campaign. The winger finished the regular season with 11 goals and eight assists across all competitions as Millwall FC secured a place in the promotion play-offs.

His speed, direct running and ability to operate between defensive lines became central to Millwall’s attacking identity throughout the season. More importantly, his numbers arrived in key moments. Several of his goals came during the final months of the campaign as Millwall pushed for a return to the Premier League.

However, Azeez’s hopes of achieving promotion suffered a painful blow on Monday after Millwall lost 2-0 to Hull City in the Championship play-offs. The game also featured Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi, whose Hull side advanced at Millwall’s expense.

Despite the defeat, Azeez’s individual season still earned widespread recognition. The former Reading FC player was named in the Championship Team of the Season after emerging as one of the division’s most dangerous wide players.

That form has now attracted Premier League attention, with Rooney openly identifying him as a player capable of stepping up to the top flight.

“I think Femi Azeez,” Rooney said, while speaking on The Overlap via FLW while discussing Championship players ready for the Premier League. “He’s a player I’ve watched, and I really like him.”

The former England striker then explained why Azeez’s football intelligence separates him from many attacking players in the division.

“He’s an intelligent football player, and I think to go and play in the Premier League, you need that intelligence to be able to find space to take the ball and be a match-winner.

“I think he’s one player who’s most suited to the Premier League.”

Azeez: Super Eagles’ Chelle watching closely ahead of Unity Cup

Rooney’s endorsement arrives at an important moment for Nigeria because Azeez has recently committed his international future to the Super Eagles.

Born in England to a Nigerian father and Spanish mother, the winger was eligible to represent three countries. But following contact from the Nigeria Football Federation, he officially pledged allegiance to Nigeria.

Because Azeez has never represented England or Spain at youth or senior level, he does not require a FIFA nationality switch and is immediately available for selection.

That availability is significant for Chelle, who has already made it clear that the upcoming Unity Cup in London will be used to assess new diaspora talents, fringe players and uncapped options before Nigeria’s future competitive fixtures.

Azeez fits that recruitment plan perfectly. The winger combines explosive dribbling with intelligent movement, qualities Rooney specifically highlighted in his assessment.

Chelle is understood to admire Azeez’s direct style, with comparisons reportedly drawn between the Millwall attacker and Michael Olise because of his ability to attack defenders aggressively from wide areas.

Timing also works strongly in Azeez’s favour. The Unity Cup will take place from May 26 to May 30, 2026 at The Valley in South London, home of Charlton Athletic. With Millwall already eliminated from the play-offs, the winger is fully available for international duty.

Playing in London could also ease his transition into international football. The familiar surroundings, reduced travel demands and strong Nigerian support expected at the tournament create an ideal environment for a potential Super Eagles debut.

And after a season in which Azeez delivered goals, assists, individual awards and praise from one of English football’s biggest names, the Millwall winger now appears closer than ever to both the Premier League and the Super Eagles.