Nigeria U-20 centre-back, Benjamin Chiemela Frederick, has permanently joined English Premier League side, Brentford.
The 18-year-old is a graduate of Moses Simon’s academy in Nigeria.
Despite playing in the Nigerian league, Benjamin had interest from top European teams like Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and FC Porto, but Brentford won the battle for the defender, signing him on loan last summer with an option to buy included in the deal.
According to Italian journalist, Fabrizio Romano, the clause has been activated and the defender has signed a four-year deal with Thomas Frank’s side.
He joins Frank Onyeka as another Nigerian at the club.
The defender will continue with the team B set up to aid his development into a first-team player, although he has trained with the first team on many occasions.
He 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 match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“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.
“I want to repay the club’s trust in me by continuing to do my best and pushing to even greater heights,” the former Nassarawa United man told Brentford’s official website after his move was made permanent.
Benjamin featured at the FIFA U-20 World Cup last year.
He played six games for the Flying Eagles as Nigeria finished third in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
