Exclusive; In-depth with Millwall summer signing Femi Azeez – Ex-Reading winger used ‘devastating’ Watford release to rebuild career through non-league route
Exclusive by Edmund Brock, edmund@slpmedia.co.uk.
Femi Azeez was distraught after being released by Watford as a youngster, but he resumed his career in non-league.
Millwall recruited the winger in the summer transfer window; he joined the Hornets when he was nine years old and was released five years later.
Azeez, 23, was born in Westminster and joined with local club Northwood FC, which competed in the Southern League East tier, a semi-professional tier.
“I dropped my way back down to get my fitness going,” Azeez told The South London Press.
“Being released from Watford was a horrible experience for me. Football was all I knew, and I had to consider, ‘What am I going to do?’
“I’d always had one eye on football, but being thrown a curve ball at such a young age opened my eyes and taught me that I needed to focus on my studies.”
“It was challenging, but I had tremendous support from my parents and brother. They helped me get through that difficult moment, and it turned out for the best. I started at the bottom and climbed up.”
Azeez joined the Northwood first team at the age of 15 and had to adjust from playing against kids his own age to being tackled by adult men.
“I enjoyed it,” he said, laughing. “Academy football was all wonderful, and they were playing tiki-taka football on the floor. Every game of men’s football involved a brawl.
“It was more of a mental issue.
“Even if the quality wasn’t as great as playing in the Championship or League One last season, it’s a different aspect of the game at any level.
“I was always there physically but I was having to think about tactics for the first time – it massively helped me.”
Azeez swiftly rose through the football ranks and was signed by National League South club Weldstone at the start of the 2018-19 season, following a dozen senior outings for Northwood.
“It wasn’t as hard as I expected,” Azeez stated. “I had nice people around me. It was a significant step forward, going up two classes. Playing for Wealdstone provided a more professional setting.
“They were semi-professional at the time, but we played on Saturdays and Tuesdays and practiced three times a week.
“It gave me more of an insight into how the professional game would be.”
Azeez, who completed his full-time schooling during his tenure at Wealdstone, considered pursuing engineering at university while also hoping to return to the professional game.
“I’ve always backed myself,” he remarked. “I went through the rituals of getting into places at university, but football was my primary concentration.
“I could genuinely see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Reading’s U23 team provided Azeez with that guiding light. In September 2019, aged 18, he signed a one-year contract with the Royals, four years after being released by Watford.
“It was physically demanding to go from training twice a week to training every single day,” Azeez told me. “It takes a toll on the body; it took me some time to adjust to it.
“There were some fantastic players there, including Danny Loader, Michael Olise, and Gabriel Osho.” They had either broken into or were going to break into the first team.
They served as a goal for me to meet while also working at my own speed.”
Olise played on the right and cut in with his left foot, exactly like Azeez.
The Reading academy graduate joined Crystal Palace in 2021 and has since established himself as one of the Premier League’s most dependable wingers. This summer, he moved to German heavyweights Bayern Munich for £50 million.
Azeez stated, “There was one game against Fulham at Craven Cottage where he was a joke (in terms of his performance). Everything he did was really smooth.”
Azeez’s brother, Miguel, is also a professional. He progressed through Arsenal and represented England at the youth level.
“Ironically, I used him as a bit of a role model,” said Azeez, who is one year older than his younger brother.
“He was doing his job and progressing through Arsenal’s ranks quickly. He debuted in the Europa League.
Azeez’s brother previously played for Portsmouth and Wigan in England before joining Greek second-division team PAS Giannina on loan this summer.
“I saw the dedication and the hard work he put in,” Azeez told him. “I thought, ‘I need to match it, then improve it, to ensure I can return to that level.'”
“We constantly pushed one other, and I am grateful to him. “Watching him inspired me.”
Azeez made his professional debut as a substitute for Veljko Paunovic in a 3-0 victory against Sheffield Wednesday in March 2021.
Despite just going on in the 89th minute, he stated, “It was a relief.” I thought, ‘I’m here now. I haven’t done anything yet, but my foot is in the door. I used it as inspiration to keep improving my game.”
Following Olise’s departure, Azeez was catapulted into Reading’s starting lineup to begin the 2021-22 season. He started four Championship games in a row and scored goals against Preston and Stoke.
However, when he began to get traction in the second tier, his season was disrupted by two different hamstring injuries and a long-term ankle injury.
“It was difficult,” said Azeez. “The main thing at the time was figuring out what was going on, which I did; I haven’t been injured in two years.”
“I learned a lot about resilience as well. I’d return to the squad for a week or a week and a half, only to be hurt again shortly after. It takes a toll on the players.
“I was 21 years old at the time, just starting out in the men’s game. I needed to be strong and maintain training at the gym.
“It has shaped me for the better – I know what works now and what doesn’t.”
Azeez truly came into his own for Reading in League One last season, becoming a matchwinner for the Royals under former Southampton manager Ruben Selles.
In 46 League One games, he scored 17 goals, including many from long range.
“I was playing with a lot of confidence,” he said.
“As a team, we had a slow start to the season, but after I scored my first goal in November, I took off.
“I was in a state of flow and feeling great. I had individuals around me who encouraged me.
“I enjoy shooting from afar and scoring those types of goals. I’ve done that throughout my career, beginning with Watford. “I enjoyed last season.”
Azeez signed a long-term contract with the Lions this summer and has made five Championship appearances as a substitute under Neil Harris.
“I’m settling in well,” he remarked. “The Championship is a step up from League One, and I’m finding my feet again, adjusting to the pace and tempo.
“I am grateful for all that has occurred in the past. Everything that has transpired has helped me reach where I am now.
“I want to get our team into the Premier League; that would be fantastic. I want to show these followers how much I care and how passionate I am.
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