Brandon Njoku sat down with SUFCtv to talk about his career so far, and how excited he is to make the move to Sutton after departing Cambridge United in the summer.
The 20-year old striker had spent the last four years at the Abbey Stadium, but makes his first permanent move away from the U’s after a number of loan spells, and is raring to go ahead of the new campaign, becoming the first player to join Sutton after the start of pre-season.
After settling in, Njoku gained experience of his first training session, showing his talent and determination in front of his new teammates and coaching staff, and followed it up by displaying a bubbly personality and energy in front of the camera, as he completed his media duties upon signing for his new club.
Commenting ahead of the upcoming chapter of his career, Njoku spoke at length about his career so far, but importantly about how keen he is to get going this term, with his first training session being completed just hours before.
“It feels really good” said Njoku, “obviously I’ve had a look around, the boys have welcomed me really nicely and the manager had a lot of good things to say to yeah, it’s a good feeling”
“The move came about pretty quick actually. The gaffer got my number and gave me a call and spoke to me about the philosophy, his plans, how he sees me integrating into that as well and it was pretty much a no brainer for me. Obviously being in London as well – I’m a London boy – so yeah it was a pretty easy decision.”
“It [the first session] was really good, the boys as I said welcomed me really well and obviously getting back into things it’s a big help.”
He will have been helped from the off with a familiar face though, with former Cambridge midfielder Lewis Simper someone who Njoku already has a strong rapport with, and will no doubt allow him to bed in easier.
“Simps has helped me gel in with the boys really well. We’re really good mates at Cambridge as well so he was a big help for me and I’m looking forward to playing with him; he knows my game, he knows when to look for me and how to look for me as well.”
Starting out in the West Ham United academy, Njoku came through the ranks at Cambridge after making the difficult decision to leave London in 2021, and has added key experience over the last few seasons around non-league.
“I started at Cambridge as a scholar at Under-16 level and I was able to earn my two professional contracts after that scholarship and it’s been really good. I’ve gained an abundance of experience out on loan, getting a few games in in League One and now I think it’s right that Sutton is the next step.”
“Moving away [from London] was a big factor but then obviously the different levels of football, different philosophies, different styles of play was all things I had to adapt to so I’d say those were the main things I had to get used to.”
“It [the loan spells] was really important for me, especially with following Cambridge’s philosophy as well, it was important that I got that men’s experience. You learn a lot of different things about the game and I think that was really important for me, it’s moulded me into what I am now so now it’s time to kick on and prove what I can do.”
Njoku made his U’s debut at just 19 years of age, coming on as a late substitute in a 2-0 defeat against Leyton Orient in League One, before scoring his first goal the following season in his first appearance of the campaign with the 20-year old commenting on his memories of what was key moments in his brief career so far.
“I remember my parents watching on the TV, got sent the video after the game, and I had a really good cameo and it was just a really nice feeling to get a feel of what the level was like and knowing that I can play at the level.”
As for his first goal:
“Yes, 4-4, a thriller! Yeah that was a really good feeling. Didn’t really get to celebrate much because I scored the third goal out the four but it was a really, really good feeling.”
Overall though, he was given the chance by Neil Harris to make his breakthrough in the Cambridge first team, allowing his work away and in the academy to pay off with 34 appearances in 2024/25.
“It was really good. As a young player you don’t always expect to play as many games as I did but I was grateful to the manager at the time for giving me the opportunity and giving me the platform and like I said, it was very big for me in terms of my career and moving forwards and it’s an abundance of experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my career.”
The striker highlighted as Edinson Cavani as someone he models his game off, but in all likes to watch a host of elite level strikers that he tries to emulate. He also displayed a swagger about it, with a likeable confidence behind his ability which is bound to endear him to his new supporters, with his aims for the new campaign are clear as day.
“I’m quick, I’m sharp off the mark, I like to get in behind, score goals. I’m a poacher, fox in the box, I like to link up play as well and I’ll definitely be chipping in with quite a few goals as well.”
“For me, I look up to all strikers that score goals, [Edinson] Cavani for example, his movement, just the elite strikers in the world, I just want to emulate them.”
“Personally, I want to get as many games in as possible, I think that’s one thing I really need. Rack up the minutes, rack up the goals I think as well; I’m aiming for a lot of goals this season, I’m hungry, so that’ll be the main aim for me.”
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
