Benjamin Fredrick: Ranking Brentford’s 5 Nigerian youngsters by market value

Brentford’s connection with Nigerian football continues to grow ahead of the 2026-27 Premier League season, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Bees now have five first-team players with Nigerian roots after promoting Super Eagles defender Benjamin Fredrick from the club’s B team. The 21-year-old recently signed a new long-term contract until 2030 after impressing during his development and loan spell in Belgium.

Fredrick will now share the senior dressing room with four other players who also have Nigerian heritage. Some have already become regular Premier League starters, while others are among the club’s brightest young prospects.

Based on their latest market values, here are Brentford’s five Nigerian-linked youngsters ranked from fifth to first.

Benjamin Fredrick (€600,000)

Benjamin Fredrick is the newest member of Brentford’s senior squad after earning his promotion ahead of the new campaign. The centre-back enjoyed an impressive spell with Brentford B before joining Belgian side FCV Dender on loan. His progress was interrupted by a serious knee injury, but Brentford remained convinced about his long-term potential.

Rather than sending him out on another loan, head coach Keith Andrews has decided to keep the defender with the first team throughout the 2026-27 season.

Fredrick has already secured his international future with Nigeria. The defender featured in four straight FIFA World Cup qualifying matches for the Super Eagles in late 2025 and also started Nigeria’s African play-off victory over Gabon.

Although he may not become an immediate Premier League starter, Brentford expect him to provide defensive cover at centre-back and right-back while gaining experience in domestic cup competitions.

Jayden Meghoma (€2 million)

Left-back Jayden Meghoma returns to Brentford after valuable loan experiences that have prepared him for senior football.

The defender spent time at Preston North End before enjoying a productive 2025-26 season with Rangers, where he made 29 appearances and also featured in UEFA Champions League qualifying matches. Meghoma is regarded as one of England’s brightest young full-backs and has previously been praised by Brentford for his pace, attacking runs and crossing ability.

Unlike Fredrick, Meghoma has not yet decided his international future. Born in England, he has represented England from Under-16 level up to the Under-20 team. However, because those matches came at youth level, he remains eligible to play for Nigeria through his father.

As his Premier League career develops, both England and Nigeria will continue monitoring his progress closely.

Kaye Furo (€8 million)

Belgian-born striker Kaye Furo arrived at Brentford from Club Brugge in a deal worth around €10 million and signed a contract running until 2031. Standing at 1.90 metres tall, the powerful 19-year-old is viewed as one of the club’s biggest attacking prospects.

Brentford believe Furo has the physical qualities needed to succeed in English football and expect him to spend the coming season learning alongside the senior squad while earning opportunities in cup competitions and selected Premier League matches.

Internationally, Furo also has an important decision ahead. He has represented Belgium at youth level from Under-15 through Under-21 but remains free to switch to Nigeria because he has never played a competitive senior international.

His connection to Nigeria is strong. His father, Iyenemi Furo, represented the Super Eagles, while the young striker regularly visits family in Rivers State during the off-season.

Kevin Schade (€35 million)

Kevin Schade has already established himself as one of Brentford’s most dangerous attacking players. The winger enjoyed an impressive 2025-26 Premier League season, making 35 league appearances, scoring eight goals and providing three assists as Brentford’s attack continued to improve.

His pace and direct running have attracted interest from several top European clubs, although Brentford remain determined to keep one of their biggest attacking weapons.

Schade has already represented Germany at senior international level after progressing through their youth teams. However, because of his Nigerian father, he remains one of several dual-national players whose eligibility has attracted attention from Nigerian supporters, although Germany currently remains his preferred international pathway.

Michael Kayode (€40 million)

Michael Kayode tops the list as Brentford’s most valuable Nigerian-linked youngster.

The right-back enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season, producing performances that earned him a nomination for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award.

His outstanding form convinced Brentford to hand him a contract extension until 2032, showing how highly the club rates him. Kayode produced impressive numbers throughout the season. He created 34 key passes from right-back, ranking among the league’s best defenders creatively, while also winning 140 duels, one of the highest totals among Under-23 players across Europe’s top five leagues.

Those displays have attracted transfer interest from several leading clubs, but Brentford see him as a key part of their future.

Internationally, Kayode was born in Italy to Nigerian parents from Ondo State. He has represented Italy at youth level and famously scored the winning goal in the 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship final.

Although Nigeria remain interested in convincing him to represent the Super Eagles, Kayode has repeatedly stated that earning a senior Italy call-up remains his immediate ambition.