‘World-class goals’ – Millwall boss on transfer window swoop for Reading attacker Femi Azeez

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Millwall head coach Neil Harris is hoping to help Femi Azeez kick his game on to a new level after the winger’s £1million move to SE16.

The Lions landed the Reading winger on Wednesday and the 23-year-old, who has signed a long-term deal, is set to be in their squad for tomorrow’s Championship match at Hull City.

Azeez scored nine goals and collected eight assists for the Royals last season.

The left-footed attacker has tended to play on the right for the League One club.

“I’m delighted to get Femi on board, we have chased him for the majority of the summer,” said Harris. “He has been identified by the football club, for a period now, as an exciting prospect and one of the top performers in the league below.

“He is clearly ready to make the transition to the Championship.

“I’ve seen him first hand over the last couple of seasons and the development he has shown.

“He brings real pace and power to the attacking unit. He is a good one-v-one player and I’m sure Reading fans are going to miss his end product and goals.

“Millwall fans would have seen his world-class goals and hope to see them replicated in a Millwall shirt.

“He has got the ability, on the transition, to attack space and carry the ball up the pitch. But also in tight areas he can go past people and be creative.”

Millwall’s hierarchy are determined to drive down the age of the squad and add players who can have major resale value in the future.

Harris said: “Femi has predominantly played off the right-hand side but I have seen him also on the left and be creative.

“We think we can help to develop his game. We’re seeing huge development in Romain Esse at the moment, with the work that has been carried out over the last 12 months, and Aidomo Emakhu as well, in the way he’s learning about the game.

“We hope to do the same with Femi and give him the platform to showcase his talents back in the Championship again, where he started.”

Millwall still want to add striker Josh Coburn to their ranks but, at the time of our paper going to press, had not agreed a deal with Middlesbrough.

The Teessiders value the 21-year-old, who is under contract until the summer of 2027, at more than £3million.

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