Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic has died aged 26.
The Montenegro international last played on June 5, in a friendly against Belgium where he impressed in a 2-0 defeat. He won nine caps for his country after making his debut in November 2019.
He joined Millwall from Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2023, going on to establish himself as the Championship club’s number one.
He kept 12 clean sheets in 33 games in 2023-24, helping his side finish 13th in the Championship.
Millwall confirmed the news in a statement which read: “Millwall Football Club is completely devastated to announce that Matija Sarkic has passed away at the age of 26.
“Everyone at the club sends their love and condolences to Matija’s family and friends at this immensely sad time.
“The club will make no further comment at this time and asks that the privacy of Matija’s family is respected”.
Sarkic came through the Anderlecht youth academy, before first moving to England in 2015 joining Aston Villa’s youth side.
He went on to represent the likes of Wigan Athletic, Birmingham City, Stoke City, Shrewsbury Town and Livingston in Scotland.
Wolves issued a statement on their former player, which read: “We are truly heartbroken by today’s tragic news. Matija was someone who had time for anybody at the football club, no matter who they were.
“He was smart, bright, warm, and funny, and gave everything to his profession and the people around him. A teammate, a colleague and a friend. He will be missed by all of us”.
Birmingham said: “Everyone at Birmingham City is shocked and saddened to learn of the news that our former goalkeeper, Matija Sarkic, has passed away at the age of 26. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and all those that knew him”.
Wigan paid tribute to their former goalkeeper saying: “We join the footballing world in mourning the loss of our former goalkeeper, Matija Sarkic who has sadly passed away. Our thoughts are with Matija’s family and friends at this difficult time”.
Stoke said in a statement: “The thoughts and condolences of everyone connected with Stoke City are with Matija’s family and friends at this sad time.
“Our support and sympathy is extended to Millwall Football Club and the Montenegrin national team, together with all those in football that have counted Matija as a teammate, colleague and friend”.
Shrewsbury Town described Sarkic as “a hugely popular figure at the club.”
GO DEEPER
Matija Sarkic: His extraordinary journey across Europe to starting for Wolves
(Graham Chadwick/Getty Images)
First appeared on www.nytimes.com