Why Femi Azeez will not make Brighton debut against Leeds — key reason confirmed

Super Eagles forward Femi Azeez will play no part in Brighton & Hove Albion’s Premier League clash against Leeds United later today, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 25-year-old recently completed a move to the Seagulls on transfer deadline day in a deal worth over £15 million from Championship side Millwall, becoming the most expensive sale in the Lions’ history.

Azeez enjoyed a remarkable 2025-26 campaign with Millwall, helping the club push for promotion to the Premier League. However, their journey eventually came to an end after they were beaten by Hull City in the playoff semi-finals.

Brighton fans will now have to wait a little longer to see the Nigerian forward in action after he was left out of the matchday squad for Leeds United’s visit to the American Express Stadium on Saturday.

Why Femi Azeez will miss Brighton’s clash with Leeds

Femi Azeez would have been in contention to make his Brighton debut against Leeds United after completing his move to the club earlier this week.

The Seagulls take on Leeds in their third Premier League game of the season at 3pm on Saturday, as they look to bounce back from their narrow 4-3 defeat to Chelsea in their last league outing.

Brighton began their Premier League campaign with an impressive 4-0 victory over 10-man Aston Villa. They have also progressed to the league phase of the Europa League after securing a 4-0 aggregate win over Tromso.

However, Azeez will now have to wait for his debut after being ruled out of the Leeds clash through injury.

The Super Eagles star picked up the injury while playing for Millwall in their first game of the season, a 2-0 victory over Bristol City, and has been unavailable since then.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Friday, Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler confirmed that Azeez is still carrying the injury and has not fully recovered.

“Femi [Azeez] is obviously carrying a slight injury at the moment”, he told the club’s official website.

Hürzeler reveals when Brighton fans could see Azeez in action

With Azeez ruled out of this weekend’s clash, he could now target Brighton’s next Premier League game against newly promoted Coventry City.

The fixture could see the Super Eagles forward come up against his international teammates Taiwo Awoniyi and Frank Onyeka. Awoniyi only recently joined Coventry City from Nottingham Forest.

Hürzeler, however, remains hopeful that Azeez could be available for Brighton’s next game.

“With Femi, we have to wait this weekend and hopefully he will be available for the next game.”

Another Nigerian, Zadok Yohanna, is expected to be in action for Brighton against Leeds and will be hoping to finally open his account for the club.