Hull City enter race for Femi Azeez: Should Millwall forward join the Tigers?

Hull City have emerged as the latest club interested in Super Eagles winger Femi Azeez, Afrik Foot reports.

As per Tribal Football, the Tigers are leading the race for the 25-year-old after Ipswich Town cooled their pursuit following the signing of Abdul Fatawu, while Premier League clubs Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth and Aston Villa continue to monitor his situation.

Millwall, however, remain under no pressure to sell. The Championship club have placed a £15 million selling fee on Azeez, who still has two years left on his contract after producing the best campaign of his career.

The Nigerian produced 11 goals and seven assists in 37 appearances, earning a place in the EFL Championship Team of the Season before announcing himself to Super Eagles fans with a brace on his senior debut at the Unity Cup.

The Premier League now appears inevitable. The bigger question is whether Hull City are the best destination.

What Hull City can offer Femi Azeez

One of Hull City’s strongest presentations could be regular playing time. Unlike Aston Villa, where competition for attacking places is fierce, or Brighton, whose recruitment strategy often platforms several young talents, Hull are rebuilding their squad following promotion to the Premier League.

Azeez would likely arrive with a realistic chance of becoming a regular starter rather than a squad player. That could be a decisive factor for a player about to enter his prime.

With Eric Chelle already shaping his squad for AFCON 2027 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, regular playing time would significantly strengthen Azeez’s chances of establishing himself as one of Nigeria’s first-choice attackers.

For a player who has waited patiently for his breakthrough, regular football may ultimately outweigh the prestige of joining a bigger club.

Cons of joining Hull City

While Hull can immediately fulfil Azeez’s ambition of playing Premier League football, they cannot guarantee it beyond the 2026/27 campaign.

The Tigers are newcomers to England’s top flight and, like most promoted clubs, are expected to spend much of the season battling relegation.

That uncertainty creates a dilemma. If Hull survive comfortably, Azeez could establish himself as one of the league’s breakout performers.

However, relegation would immediately return him to the Championship, potentially slowing his development at both club and international level.

By comparison, Aston Villa offer Champions League football and the opportunity to compete at Europe’s highest level. At the same time, Brighton and Bournemouth have developed reputations as stable Premier League clubs with long-term sporting ambition.

Those clubs may not guarantee immediate starts, but they provide greater certainty that Azeez would remain in England’s top flight over the coming seasons.

The Super Eagles factor

International football should also influence Azeez’s decision. His introduction to the Super Eagles has raised expectations, but competition in Nigeria’s attack remains intense.

Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze and Nathan Tella all remain established options, while emerging attackers continue to push for opportunities.

Regular top-level football will almost certainly determine whether Azeez becomes a squad player or a genuine starter under Chelle.

Joining Hull may maximise his chances of playing every week, but if the club spends the campaign struggling near the bottom of the table, his performances could receive even more scrutiny.

Unlike Aston Villa, who may prioritise more established internationals as they strengthen for another Champions League campaign, Hull’s recruitment model is built around ambitious players capable of growing alongside the club.

That alignment makes the move logical from both sporting and financial perspectives.