Photo via Brentford FC
Former Simoiben Futball Academy defender Benjamin Fredrick says he wants to repay Brentford FC for supporting him after signing a permanent deal with the Premier League club.
The Nigerian Youth international was offered a four-year deal with an option of an extra year having impressed while on loan this season.
“Signing permanently for Brentford is a great moment for me and my family and I want to thank everyone who started this journey with me,” he said to the club’s media team.
The West London club said that Fredrick would remain with the B team but he has matured enough for the next step during his spells with the seniors.
He was named as a substitute for Brentford’s Premier League games against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as both Emirates FA Cup third-round matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“Neil and the rest of the coaching team have been very patient and supportive throughout this season and they have helped me become a stronger more confident player in the process.
“I want to repay the club’s trust in me by continuing to do my best and pushing to even greater heights”, he said.
Fredrick was also named as a substitute for Brentford’s Premier League games against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as the Emirates FA Cup third-round matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Fredrick joined Brentford FC on loan from Nigeria’s Simoiben Futball Academy around August 2023.
He featured at the Under-20 World Cup for Nigeria last summer as they reached the quarter-final stage, before exiting the competition with a 1-0 defeat to South Korea.
He has been a regular for his country at U20 level, making his debut in that age group at just 17.
As well as playing four times in the U20 World Cup last year, he also featured six times as Nigeria finished third in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Fredrick played for ABS FC and Nassarawa United FC while in Nigeria.
