Benjamin Fredrick

Earns first-team promotion

Fredrick has signed a new four-year contract with Brentford, with a club option for a further year, and has been promoted to Keith Andrews' first-team squad, per the club's announcement.

Analysis: Fredrick, a versatile defender who can play centre-back or right-back, came through Brentford B after initially arriving on loan in August 2023, with the move made permanent in April 2024. He has represented Nigeria at senior level, starting the final four matches of their World Cup qualifying campaign along with the African play-off semifinal win over Gabon, before Nigeria lost the play-off final to DR Congo on penalties. He spent 2025-26 on loan at FCV Dender in Belgium, making 15 appearances before a knee injury ended that loan early in mid-November. Andrews said Fredrick's immediate priority is building up consistent match fitness given the injury layoff before he can push for a place in and around the first-team squad, with the club viewing him as a player with real long-term potential rather than an immediate regular starter.