MATIJA SARKIC’s twin brother Oliver posted a heartbreaking photo after the former Millwall star’s death.
Matija, 26, passed away in Montenegro this morning in a tragedy that rocked the football world.
INSTAGRAM: OLIVERSARKIC10Oliver Sarkic paid tribute to his twin brother Matija[/caption]
The brothers both played in Anderlecht’s academy and Montenegro’s Under-21s
Oliver and Matija Sarkic were born in Grimsby
The Grimsby-born brothers both attended the British School of Brussels after following their diplomat father Bojan to Belgium.
They both came through Anderlecht’s academy but while Matija joined Aston Villa in 2015, attacking midfielder Oliver went to Benfica.
After playing 44 times for the Portuguese giants’ B team, he joined Leeds on a permanent deal in 2018 after a brief loan stint.
From there Oliver headed to League One Burton Albion, where he scored five goals in 37 outings.
The playmaker also featured for Blackpool and Mansfield before heading to Uzbekistani outfit Pakhtakor Tashkent in 2022.
After a successful spell, he moved to Montenegrin team Decic last year and has 13 goals in 51 league games.
Matija had nine caps for Montenegro, including a man-of-the-match performance against Euro 2024 contenders Belgium last week.
Oliver, meanwhile, played ten times for their Under-21s but has not made the step up to senior international level.
Millwall issued a heartbreaking statement to confirm the death of their goalkeeper this morning.
The eight-cap Montenegro star reportedly fell ill while on international duty in the town of Budva.
Matija Sarkic career stats
Millwall: 33 games, 12 clean sheets
Shrewsbury: 29 games, 11 clean sheets
Birmingham: 23 games, 10 clean sheets
Livingston: 18 games, nine clean sheets
Stoke: Eight games, three clean sheets
Wigan: Three games
Havant & Waterlooville: One game
Montenegrin state-owned TV station RTCG report that Sarkic went for a walk with pals, had dinner in a restaurant and returned to his apartment early.
He is believed to have told friends he felt ill after waking up at around 6am this morning and they called an ambulance but it was too late.
Tributes have flooded in for Sarkic from the football world, including former clubs Aston Villa and Birmingham.
Villa posted on X: “Everyone at Aston Villa is deeply saddened by news of the passing of our former goalkeeper Matija Sarkic.
“Matija joined our academy in 2015 and spent five years with the club, during which time he made his full international debut for Montenegro, before departing in the summer of 2020.
“The thoughts and condolences of all at the club are with his family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”