7 Nigerians have played for Brighton: Where does Femi Azeez rank?

Brighton & Hove Albion have developed an interesting Nigerian connection over the years, Afrik-Foot reports.

The club’s record includes players from very different eras, from a striker who scored four goals in seven appearances in the 1990s to a defender who played in the Premier League two decades later.

The latest name is Femi Azeez. Brighton completed his move from Millwall after the clubs submitted a deal sheet before the 11pm deadline on Tuesday, extending the deal window until 1am. The 25-year-old signed a four-year contract after an excellent 2025/26 Championship season.

Azeez arrives with a stronger recent record than several of his predecessors. He made 77 appearances for Millwall, scoring 15 goals and creating 13 more. He also earned a place in both the PFA and EFL Championship teams of the season before making his Nigeria debut in June. The former Reading man will look to carve a place for himself in Brighton’s rich Nigerian history.

Interestingly, some names on this list had only a few weeks in Sussex, while others played important roles at different levels. Here is how the seven Nigerian players rank.

Brighton’s Nigerian imports

1. Ade Akinbiyi

Akinbiyi sits at the top because few of Brighton’s Nigerian players made such a direct impact in front of goal.

The striker joined Norwich City as a youngster and moved to Brighton on loan during the 1994/95 season. He scored four goals in seven league appearances, an impressive return of more than one goal every two matches.

His Brighton spell was short, but his scoring record was outstanding. Akinbiyi later built a long Football League career, including spells with Gillingham, Bristol City, Wolves, Leicester City, Crystal Palace, Stoke City and Burnley.

2. Leon Balogun

Balogun is second because his Brighton spell came at the highest level and lasted far longer than Akinbiyi’s.

The Nigeria international joined Brighton in July 2018 after leaving Mainz. He made 11 first-team appearances, including Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup matches, and scored once.

His Premier League debut came in Brighton’s 3-2 win over Manchester United in August 2018. Balogun also scored a memorable long-range goal against Crystal Palace in November that year.

His record, though modest, makes him the most established Nigerian defender in the club’s senior history.

3. Femi Azeez

Azeez takes third place, despite having zero Brighton appearances so far.

That may sound strange, but this ranking also considers the strength of the player Brighton have signed and his potential to change the order quickly. Azeez arrives after scoring 11 goals and supplying seven assists for Millwall in the 2025/26 Championship campaign, earning places in the PFA and EFL teams of the season.

He also scored twice on his Nigeria debut against Zimbabwe before assisting in the 3-0 win over Jamaica four days later. Brighton’s sporting director Mike Cave described him as one of the Championship’s most exciting attacking players.

His ranking will rise or fall on what happens at the Amex. Right now, it is a projection based on the quality of the signing.

4. Nehemiah Oriola

Oriola is one of Brighton’s younger Nigeria-eligible players and has already reached the senior team.

Born in England to Nigerian and Ghanaian heritage, the winger joined Brighton’s academy after spells with West Ham United and Manchester United.

He made his Premier League debut during the 2025/26 season and also became an important player for the development side. He has registered 25 appearances, eight goals and six assists across Brighton’s teams in its coverage.

At 19, Oriola has time to move much higher on this list.

5. Emeka Ifejiagwa

Ifejiagwa’s Brighton career lasted only eight days, but he left a remarkable statistical mark.

The Nigerian defender arrived from Charlton on loan in October 1998 and made two appearances, scoring once.

His first appearance came against Barnet on 24 October 1998. Brighton were struggling defensively at the time, having conceded 17 goals across nine matches before his arrival.

The short spell prevents him from ranking higher, despite his fine scoring record.

6. Zadok Yohanna

Yohanna is the youngest player on this list and the one with perhaps the most exciting long-term future.

Brighton signed the Nigerian winger from AIK on a contract running until June 2031. He had scored five goals and provided four assists in 18 appearances in Sweden before moving to England.

The teenager had only moved from Ikon Allah Football Academy in Nigeria to Sweden in 2025. His rise to the Premier League came within about a year.

His Brighton career is still in its opening chapter, so his current ranking is based mainly on what he has achieved since joining the club.

7. David Adekola

Adekola completes the list because his Brighton stay was extremely brief. The Lagos-born forward joined Brighton in October 1996 after playing in Germany. He made only one appearance, starting in the 2-1 home defeat by Cambridge United on 12 October, before leaving the club the following month.

Adekola did have an international career with Nigeria, including a goal on his senior debut against Guinea in a 1990 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. His Brighton record, however, was too small to push him higher.