In-depth with Millwall summer signing Femi Azeez – Ex-Reading winger used ‘devastating’ Watford release to rebuild career through non-league route
Femi Azeez was left devastated after his release from Watford as a teenager but kickstarted his career in non-league.
The winger, snapped up by Millwall in the summer transfer window, signed with the Hornets at the age of nine but was released five years later.
Westminster-born Azeez, 23, signed for local side Northwood FC, who were plying their trade in the Southern League East Division – a semi-professional division.
“I dropped my way back down to get my fitness going,” Azeez told the South London Press.
“It was a devastating time for me after being released by Watford. Football was all I knew and I had to think: ‘What am I going to do?’
“I always had one eye on football, but being thrown that curve ball at such a young age opened my eyes and made me realise that I had to focus on my studies.
“It was difficult, but I had a good support system with my parents and my brother. They helped me through that tough time – it worked out for the better. I started at the bottom and climbed up.”
Azeez broke into the Northwood first team at 15 and had to adapt from playing against similar age groups to being tackled by fully-grown men.
“I enjoyed it,” he laughed. “Academy football was all nice and playing tiki-taka football along the floor. Men’s football was fighting every game.
“It was more of a mental thing.
“Even though the quality wasn’t as high as playing in the Championship or League One last season, it’s a different side of the game, regardless of what level of is.
“I was always there physically but I was having to think about tactics for the first time – it massively helped me.”
Azeez was quickly back on the rise up the football pyramid and was snapped up by National League South side Weldstone at the start of the 2018-19 season after a dozen senior appearances for Northwood.
“It wasn’t as hard as I anticipated,” said Azeez. “I had good people around me. It was a massive step up – moving up two divisions. Playing for Wealdstone was a more professional environment.
“They were semi-professional at the time, but we were playing on Saturdays and Tuesdays, and we also trained three times a week.
“It gave me more of an insight into how the professional game would be.”
Azeez, who finished his full-time education during his time with Wealdstone, explored the opportunity of studying engineering at university while he also looked to make it back into the professional game.
“I always backed myself,” he said. “I went through the motions of getting into places at university, but football was my main focus.
“I could genuinely see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
That light for Azeez came in the shape of Reading’s U23 side. Then 18, he joined the Royals on a one-year deal in September 2019 – four years after his release from Watford.
“It was physically demanding to go from training twice a week to training every single day,” explained Azeez. “It takes a toll on the body – it took me a while to get used to it.
“There were some fantastic players there – the likes of Danny Loader, Michael Olise and Gabriel Osho. They had already broken into the first team or were about to break into it.
They were the benchmark that I had to get to while also working at my own pace as well.”
Olise played on the right and cut in on his left foot – just like Azeez.
The Reading academy graduate moved to Crystal Palace in 2021 and became one of the most consistent wingers in the Premier League. He earned a £50million move to German giants Bayern Munich this summer.
Azeez said: “There was this one game against Fulham against Craven Cottage where he was a joke (in how well he played). Everything he did was silky smooth.”
Azeez’s brother Miguel is also a professional. He came through at Arsenal and represented England at youth level.
“Ironically, I used him as a bit of a role model,” said Azeez, who is the older brother by one year.
“He was doing his thing and coming through the ranks at Arsenal really well. He made his debut in the Europa League.”
Azeez’s brother has had spells with Portsmouth and Wigan in England but moved to Greek second-division side PAS Giannina on loan this summer.
“I saw the dedication and the hard work he put in,” said Azeez. “I thought: ‘I need to match it and then better it to make sure I can get back to that level.’
“We always pushed each other and I’m so grateful to him. Watching him inspired me.”
Azeez’s made his professional debut under Veljko Paunovic as a substitute in a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in March 2021.
Despite only coming on in the 89th minute, he said: “It was a relief. I thought: ‘I’m here now. I haven’t done it, but I have my foot in the door.’ I used it as motivation to kick on and keep working on my game.”
Azeez was thrust into the Reading starting line-up at the start of the 2021-22 season following the departure of Olise. He started four Championship games in a row and scored in games against Preston and Stoke.
But as he was starting to build momentum in the second tier, his season was sporadic due to two separate hamstring injuries and a long-term ankle issue.
“It was difficult,” said Azeez. “The main thing at the time was figuring out what was going on – and I did – I haven’t been injured for two years.
“I learnt a lot of resilience as well. Coming back into the team for a week or a week and a half, and then I’d get injured again. It takes a toll on a player.
“I was 21 at the time and right at the beginning of my career in the men’s game. I had to be strong and keep working in the gym.
“It has shaped me for the better – I know what works now and what doesn’t.”
Azeez really came into his own for Reading last season in League One and became a matchwinner for the Royals under ex-Southampton boss Ruben Selles.
He netted long-range efforts and racked up 17 goal contributions in 46 League One appearances.
“I was playing with a lot of confidence,” he added.
“As a team, we didn’t have a great start to the season, but from November onwards, once I got that first goal, I started flying.
“I was on top of the world and in a flow state. I had people around me encouraging me.
“I love shooting from distance and scoring those type of goals. I have done it throughout my career from Watford onwards. I enjoyed last season.”
Azeez signed a long-term deal with the Lions this summer and has made five Championship appearances as a substitute so far under Neil Harris.
“I’m settling in well,” he said. “The Championship is a step up from League One and I’m finding my feet again – getting used to the tempo and pace.
“I’m grateful for everything that has happened in the past. Everything that has happened has helped me get to where I am now.
“I want to get this club to the Premier League – that would be amazing. I want to show these fans that I do really care and the passion that I have.
“I want to play out of my skin week in, week out.”