'I really like him' - Man Utd legend Rooney identifies Azeez as Premier League material

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has tipped Nigeria-eligible winger Femi Azeez as one of the Championship players best suited for the English Premier League.

The 24-year-old winger has enjoyed a breakout campaign with Millwall, emerging as one of the standout performers in the Championship during the 2025/26 season.

Azeez finished the regular season with 11 goals and eight assists, helping Millwall secure a place in the promotion play-offs.

Despite his impressive performances, Azeez’s hopes of sealing promotion to the Premier League suffered a setback after Millwall were beaten 2-0 by Hull City in Monday’s Championship play-off clash.

The game also featured Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi, whose Hull City side progressed at Millwall’s expense.

Azeez’s displays throughout the season have not gone unnoticed, with the winger earning a place in the Championship Team of the Season following a campaign that saw him become one of Millwall’s most influential attacking players.

The former Reading man has also been linked with a potential Premier League move amid growing interest in his services.

Speaking on The Overlap, Rooney praised Azeez’s intelligence and suitability for top-flight football while discussing which Championship players could make a smooth transition to the Premier League.

Responding to a question from presenter John Fendley about second-tier players capable of stepping up, Rooney said as quoted by Football League World: “I think Femi Azeez. He's a player I've watched, and I really like him.”

The former England captain explained that Azeez possesses qualities needed to succeed at the highest level, adding: “He's an intelligent football player, and I think to go and play in the Premier League, you need that intelligence to be able to find space to take the ball and be a match-winner.”

Rooney concluded his assessment by insisting that the Millwall winger is perfectly suited for the English top flight, stating: “I think he's one player who's most suited to the Premier League.”

Azeez, who was born in England to a Nigerian father and Spanish mother, has recently emerged as a potential target for the Super Eagles ahead of the 2026 Unity Cup.