Millwall have shown great brilliance at both ends of the pitch this season, but it is hard to imagine they would be where they are in the Championship promotion race without the brilliance of Femi Azeez.
His second season with Millwall feels like the season in which the 24-year-old winger truly reached this level.
“Last season was a bit numb for me,” Azeez, who joined from Reading in 2024, told Sky Sports. “Making the jump from League One to the Championship is a big step forward, especially given the quality of the top players last season.
“I feel like I’ve come into my own this season. I put in a lot of effort in the offseason and was able to express myself a little bit and show what I can do. I’m more relaxed and more confident.”
“I really like it. I have great players around me and I have a great coach, so I think I can go into every game with confidence knowing that I can shine and do what I know I can do.”
Femi Azeez named Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for February
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With eight goals (many of which were absolute goals) and eight assists, Azeez became a hero at The Den.
These numbers are made even more impressive by the fact that he started just 25 games and played in 27 league games.
“There were some spots that turned everything they touched to gold,” he says. “I also remember that October when I came back from an ankle injury and scored four points on the bounce.
“Sometimes I look at some of my goals and think, ‘Wow, that’s amazing.’ But I know I can do it now and I try to emulate that every game.”
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Femi Azeez scores a sensational volley to give Millwall a 1-0 lead against Birmingham City!
The road to get to this point was not an easy one for Azeez. Ten years ago, he was released by Watford at the age of 14 and had to fight his way back to this level through London’s non-league scene.
A few years later, in 2019, he signed for Reading, where he spent five years before joining Millwall.
He feels these early setbacks helped shape him into the player and person he is today.
“It’s certainly been a journey!” he says. “As a 14-year-old, it was understandably heartbreaking to hear that you were being released and I was upset for quite some time, but I’ll be honest.
“I’ve seen both sides of the game and I think what young players go through definitely hardens their mind and mental state.
“As a 16-, 17-year-old, you’re playing against grown men who have kids and have things to fight for, so it’s definitely an experience.
“I still incorporate that into my game because I know that football can change quickly and anything can happen in a split second and you can end up back in the same position.
“I’m definitely humbled. It’s a huge privilege to be where I am and I’m going to do everything I can to not let that go. I always knew that football was what I wanted to do and I was going to make this happen in some way.
“I have a strong heart and I also had support from my parents and older brother who helped me along the way. I always knew this would happen. If I put my mind to it, I could have been in the position I am now.”
“Given where I come from and what I’ve been through, it’s incredible to be in this position right now. I never lose sight of that because it’s a journey and it’s one of those journeys that I can look back on and be proud of.”
“I think it’s unreal because when you think about where you come from and your background, it’s amazing to be one of the best players in the league with such great players in the Championship.”
And just seven years after his loan move to Hanwell Town in the Isthmian League South, he could be helping lead Millwall to the Premier League.
The Lions have had a few near misses in the play-offs in recent seasons, but an excellent season so far has put them in contention for automatic promotion.
“The atmosphere in the club and in the changing room is definitely positive,” he says. “If we continue to do what we are doing, we know what will happen.
“I think we can move forward if we think about promotion or going to the next level. We have to stay humble. But we will because we have the manager and the players in the dressing room.”
And with his dramatic growth this season, it feels like the sky is the limit for Azeez himself.
“It’s been a long road to get here, but I’m only 24 years old,” he says. “I still have many years left in the game.
“Sometimes I tell myself that I am not a finished product yet, so I still have many years to grow. I want to strive and not only achieve my potential, but exceed my potential.
“It’s exciting to think about what might happen, but I don’t want to think too far ahead because if I look too far ahead, I might end up living in some sort of fantasy land.
“My mind and state of mind is to stay grounded, keep working hard and keep getting better every day. That’s the important thing.”
