Super Eagles defender Benjamin Fredrick don sign new four-year contract with Brentford, and dem don promote am to first team for 2026/27 season.
Di 21-year-old Nigeria international, wey dey play for centre-back and right-back, go now join senior squad for pre-season under new head coach Keith Andrews.
Andrews say dem dey happy with di new deal, because dem see plenty potential for Benji and where dem fit bring im game.
“He don already play senior international football and na big part of Nigeria team for dia World Cup qualifying campaign,” Andrews tok.
Di coach add say di first priority na to help Fredrick regain full fitness after knee injury wey cut short im loan spell for Belgian side FCV Dender.
“Im last game na middle of November, so e don long wey im don dey out. Im go need to integrate into di squad, challenge im team-mates and show di ability and personality wey I know e get,” Andrews yarn.
Fredrick na product of Simoiben Football Academy for Kaduna. E don play for Abubakar Bukola Saraki FC and Nasarawa United before e join Brentford B on loan for August 2023.
During im first season for B team under Neil MacFarlane, e sit for bench for two Premier League games and two FA Cup ties. Brentford later make di move permanent for April 2024.
For 2024/25 season, e feature for two more Premier League matchday squads and help di young Bees reach Premier League Cup final and win Under-21 Professional Development League national title.
For May 2025, Fredrick win Brentford B Players’ Player of the Year award. Later dat month, e make im senior international debut for Nigeria for Unity Cup final against Jamaica for Gtech Community Stadium, wey Nigeria win through penalty shoot-out.
Fredrick join FCV Dender on loan for 2025/26 season. E make 15 appearances for Belgian Pro League and Croky Cup before knee injury end im loan early.
During September, October and November international breaks, Fredrick start di final four matches of Nigeria 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group. E also start dia win against Gabon for African play-off semi-final before Nigeria lose to DR Congo for penalty shoot-out final.
B team head coach Sam Saunders praise di defender: “Benji don be absolute pleasure to have since e come to B team. I dey really, really proud of im progression and di levels e don go up for im time for Brentford.
“E be amazing character, likeable lad, very coachable. E get outstanding attributes for one-v-one defending and e dey get better and better all di time.
“Benji don already prove say e fit go play internationally and do well. We dey excited to see where dat go lead am for im career.”
Fredrick imself tok about di new contract: “Na great feeling. I happy and proud of myself, and my family dey proud of me as well. Di club don help me plenty.
“When I come here, I dey little bit nervous and shy. I no know how to do di basics because where I from dey different. Especially Neil when I first come here, e always encourage me, never shout when I make mistake. E just tell me to keep my head down and keep playing. E don help me grow as player and as person.”
For im ambition for di season, Fredrick add: “I just want to keep pushing and learning every day. My aim na to make my debut with di first team, get Premier League minutes and give my best when I get di opportunity.”
