Brentford sign Nigerian teenage defender Benjamin Fredrick on a season-long loan deal

ENGLISH Premier League side Brentford have confirmed the signing of 18-year-old Nigerian centreback Benjamin Fredrick on a season-long loan from Simoiben FC in Kaduna with the option of buying him.

Under the terms of the deal, Brentford has the option of signing the defender permanently at the end of the season. Fredrick has now joined the Bees’ B team squad but is hopefully of being elevated into the first team with the opportunity of playing in the English Premier League

Impressing for Nigeria at the recent Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Argentina, Frederick formed a strong partnership in central defence alongside Abel Ogwuche, as the Flying Eagles reached the quarter-finals before losing 1-0 to South Korea. Fredrick will now link up with his new Brentford teammates, subject to international clearance, as the Bees look to continue developing young talent.

Brentford B coach, Neil Macfarlane, said: “Benjamin is a real prospect having impressed for Nigeria in recent tournaments. He’s a very tenacious defender, who likes to defend on the front foot. We’ll look to develop him through our games programme and monitor his progress during the loan.”

Frederick is a product of the Simoiben Academy owned by Super Eagles winger, Moses Simon. He has previously spent time on loan at Nigerian club sides ABS FC and Nasarawa United.