Brentford has officially announced the acquisition of Nigerian under-20 defender, Benjamin Fredrick, on a loan deal from Simoiben FC Kaduna until the culmination of the 2023/24 season.
As confirmed by the Premier League club, the completion of this transfer is contingent upon international clearance, with an option to make the move permanent also on the table.
The central defender is set to join Neil MacFarlane’s B team for the upcoming season.
Benjamin previously showcased his skills at the Under-20 World Cup for Nigeria earlier this summer, propelling his team to the quarter-final stage before bowing out with a 1-0 loss to South Korea.
He has been a consistent presence for the Flying Eagles in recent months, accumulating 11 appearances at the U20 level, remarkably debuting in this age group at just 17.
In addition to his four appearances in this year’s U20 World Cup, he also participated in six matches as Nigeria clinched third place in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations earlier in the year.
The 18-year-old defender has accumulated valuable experience through loan stints with other Nigerian clubs, including ABS FC and Nasawara United, in recent seasons. Now, he embarks on a journey to West London to further nurture his talent under the guidance of the B-team staff.
Discussing Benjamin’s arrival, Brentford B head coach Neil MacFarlane expressed, “Benjamin is a player who has been identified by our recruitment department, and he’s a genuine prospect, having left a lasting impression with his performances for Nigeria in recent tournaments.”
“He’s a fiercely competitive player who thrives on proactive defending. We intend to foster his development through our games program and closely monitor his progress throughout his loan spell. We eagerly anticipate Benjamin’s integration into the club.”
