Benjamin Fredrick Biography: Current Club, Age, Salary, Parents

Benjamin Fredrick is a rising Nigerian footballer who, despite his youth, has already made major strides in the sport. From humble beginnings in Kaduna State to signing with a Premier League club and representing his country, his journey is one of talent, perseverance, and promise. This article will explore his background, career, finances, and what he represents for the future of Nigerian football.

Biography

Early Life and Family Background

Benjamin Chiemela Fredrick was born on 28 May 2005 in Ungwan Yelwa, Kaduna State, Nigeria. He grew up in a small community called Television near Kaduna city. Though he was born in Kaduna State, his family originates from Enugu State (Igbo ethnic background). His father was involved in a local football team and provided support for Benjamin’s early football aspirations, though the family faced financial hardship.

Benjamin often recalled how he had to “hustle to buy boots” because his father could not always afford them. He trained on poor-conditioned pitches in his early years, which he later described as having holes and being far from the standard he found when he moved to Europe.

Education & Early Footballing Steps

His formal schooling is less documented publicly, but his main focus shifted early to football when he joined the youth systems of the academy founded by Moses Simon, the Simoiben Football Academy. He was discovered at age 13 while playing for his father’s local team and then recruited into the academy.

Age & Physical Details

• Date of Birth: 28 May 2005
• Age (as of 2025): 20 years old
• Height: 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
• Origin/State of Family: Born in Kaduna State; family from Enugu State

Career Overview

Early Club Career in Nigeria

Benjamin’s football journey progressed through Nigerian clubs:

• Youth training at Simoiben Football Academy (founded by Moses Simon).
• In 2021–22 he moved for senior football to ABS FC (Nigeria National League, second tier). He made his senior debut in February 2022 and earned a “Man of the Match” in his first senior game as a 16-year-old.
• In October 2022 he signed for Nasarawa United (Nigeria Professional Football League). He made 6 appearances for them in the 2022-23 season, playing at both centre-back (his preferred position) and right-back.

Move to Europe & Current Club

In August 2023 Benjamin moved to Europe when he joined Brentford FC (English Premier League club) on loan, initially assigned to Brentford B, the reserve side. In April 2024, after only eight months, Brentford activated a permanent transfer: a four-year contract (expiring May 2028) with an option for an additional year.

For the 2025-26 season, he is on loan at Belgian Pro League club Dender EH (also written as FCV Dender EH) to gain regular senior first-team experience.

International Career

Benjamin has represented Nigeria at youth and senior levels:

• With the U-20 team: In the 2023 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations he played every minute of Nigeria’s campaign (6 matches) as they finished third.
• In the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, he featured 4 times as Nigeria reached the quarter-finals.
• Senior debut: he made his senior national team, the Super Eagles, debut on 31 May 2025 in a friendly vs Jamaica.
• Notably, in November 2025 he was named Man of the Match in a World Cup qualifier vs Gabon after a dominant defensive performance.

Playing Style & Position

Benjamin is primarily a centre-back but can also play right-back when needed. His profile highlights:

• Comfortable on the ball, enjoys playing out from the back.
• Strong in aerial duels (height a plus), strong tackling, and good positional awareness.
• His role model is Sergio Ramos, which gives insight into his aspirational style: leadership, resilience, winning mentality.

Controversies and Criticisms

As of the most recent information, there are no major controversies or criticisms publicly documented for Benjamin Fredrick. His story is positioned as one of triumph over adversity rather than scandal. That said, some typical challenges for young players in his situation include:

• Adjustment to European football: He himself admitted that his passing was “very bad” when he first arrived at Brentford and that he had to improve significantly.
• Competition for places & youth development pressure: As a young player in a Premier League club, breaking into the first team is a challenge, and young players can face criticism if they fail to progress quickly. While not a controversy per se, this is a career pressure point.

Because his public profile is largely positive and still emerging, it is important to monitor going forward for any issues, but as of now, none major are reported.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Market Value & Contract

• His market value is estimated at €175,000 (as of 2025).
• Contract: In April 2024 Brentford signed him on a four-year deal (to May 2028) with the option for an extra year.

Salary & Earnings

• The exact salary figures are not publicly disclosed. The source estimates that young professional players at Premier League clubs often earn between £1,000 to £5,000 per week at early senior/pro-development stages.
• Given his age and recent move, this range gives a rough benchmark but should be treated as approximate.
• Future earning potential is strong: source suggests that with progression he could earn “£20,000+ per week” within the next few years.

Estimated Net Worth

• The article estimates his net worth as of 2025 to be approximately US $50,000 to US $100,000.
• Since he only turned professional in 2022 and spent early career in Nigeria (where salaries are lower), the accumulated wealth is modest but expected to grow.

Financial Outlook

Benjamin’s financial status is firmly tied to his future playing opportunities:

• Regular first-team football in Belgium and/or England will increase his value and wages.
• International appearances for Nigeria boost his profile and potential endorsements.
• Transfers to larger clubs in the future will likely raise his salary and market value significantly.

Legacy and Significance

Although Benjamin Fredrick is still early in his career, his significance is already visible in several ways:

• Inspiration for Nigerian youth: His story, growing up in modest circumstances in Nigeria, overcoming hardship, then securing a contract in Europe, resonates with many young players across Africa.
• Raising the profile of Nigerian defenders: Historically, Nigeria is more renowned for producing attacking talent; Benjamin is part of a newer wave of defenders gaining recognition, which could shift perceptions.
• Impact on his youth academy: His success draws attention to the Simoiben Football Academy (founded by Moses Simon) and could attract more talent and investment into Nigerian youth development.
• Potential for greater future legacy: At only 20 years old and already playing for a Premier League club contract, on loan in Europe and representing the Super Eagles, he stands on the brink of what may become a distinguished career. The “best chapters may still be unwritten” as his biography puts it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

1. How old is Benjamin Fredrick?

Benjamin Chiemela Fredrick was born on 28 May 2005, making him 20 years old as of 2025.

 

2. Which club does Benjamin Fredrick currently play for?

He is contracted to Brentford FC but, for the 2025-26 season, is on loan at Belgian Pro League club Dender EH.

 

3. What position does Benjamin Fredrick play?

He plays primarily as a centre-back, though he can also operate as a right-back when needed.

 

4. What is Benjamin Fredrick’s market value?

As of 2025 his market value is estimated at about €175,000.

5. What is his estimated net worth or salary?

While exact salary figures are not disclosed, his net worth is estimated to be between US $50,000 and US $100,000 as of 2025, given his early professional status.

 

6. When did Benjamin make his senior international debut for Nigeria?

He made his senior debut for the Super Eagles on 31 May 2025 in a friendly against Jamaica.

 

7. Where did Benjamin Fredrick come from and what’s his background?

He was born in Ungwan Yelwa, Kaduna State (Nigeria), grew up in the TV community near Kaduna city, and comes from a family originally from Enugu State. He trained at the Simoiben Football Academy before playing for ABS FC and Nasarawa United in Nigeria.