Nigeria’s Benjamin Fredrick has signed a new four-year contract with Brentford, saying his immediate ambition is to make his Premier League debut after earning promotion to the club’s first-team squad.
The 21-year-old defender, who has joined Keith Andrews’ squad for pre-season, signed a deal that includes the option of a further year following his impressive performances with Brentford’s B team.
“My aim is to make my debut with the first team, get Premier League minutes and give my best when I have the opportunity,” Fredrick said.
“I just want to keep pushing and learning every single day.”
Fredrick described the contract extension as a proud moment for both himself and his family while reflecting on his development since arriving at the club.
“It is a great feeling. I am happy and proud of myself, and my family are proud of me as well,” he said.
“The club has helped me a lot. When I came here, I was a little bit nervous and shy. I did not know how to do the basics because where I am from is a little bit different to here.
“Especially Neil (MacFarlane) when I first came here. He always encouraged me, never shouted when I made mistakes and just told me to keep my head down and keep playing. He has helped me grow as a player and a person as well.”
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Brentford head coach Keith Andrews welcomed the defender’s progress and said the club believes he has the potential to establish himself in the senior squad.
“We are delighted that Benji has signed a new deal and is going to be part of the group this season, because we see a lot of potential in him and where we can bring his game to,” Andrews said.
“He has already played senior international football and was a big part of Nigeria’s team in their World Cup qualifying campaign. Last season, he had a really productive loan in Belgium that was unfortunately cut short due to injury. The first port of call for Benji is to integrate into the squad consistently. His last game was the middle of November, so that is a long time he has had out through injury. He has then got to come into the first-team space, challenge his team-mates and show the ability and the personality which I know he has.”
Fredrick began his career at Simoiben Football Academy in Kaduna before spending the 2021/22 season at Abubakar Bukola Saraki FC. He later joined Nasarawa United, where he played at both centre-back and right-back while representing Nigeria at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, helping the Flying Eagles finish third.
He moved to Brentford B on loan in August 2023 before making the transfer permanent in April 2024. During his time with the club’s development side, he was named on the bench for four senior matches, helped the young Bees reach the Premier League Cup final and win the Under-21 Professional Development League national title, and was named Brentford B Players’ Player of the Year in May 2025.
Fredrick made his senior debut for Nigeria in the Super Eagles’ penalty shoot-out victory over Jamaica in the Unity Cup final at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Last season, the defender spent time on loan at Belgian club FCV Dender, making 15 appearances in the Belgian Pro League and Croky Cup before a knee injury ended his campaign prematurely.
