Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic has died aged 26 (Getty)
Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic has died at the age of 26 after a short illness.
Sarkic, who was away on international duty with Montenegro and played in a friendly against Belgium last Wednesday, was in the coastal town of Budva when he fell ill at an apartment on Saturday morning.
His friends who were also at the apartment called an ambulance but Sarkic died around 6.30am local time.
Sarkic joined Millwall last August from Wolves and made 33 appearances for the club in all competitions this season.
A statement from Millwall read: ‘Millwall Football Club is completely devastated to announce that Matija Sarkic has passed away at the age of 26. Sarkic, The Lions’ number one goalkeeper, made 33 appearances for the club since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2023.
Matija Sarkic played for Montenegro in their friendly against Belgium on June 5 (EPA)
‘A Montenegro international, Matija proudly represented his country on numerous occasions.
‘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.’
Matija’s manager for the Montenegro national team, Robert Prosinecki, said: ‘I woke up at half past seven with the worst possible information.
‘I’m in shock, a lot of people called me, I don’t know what to say. He was great in training, wonderful as a person.
‘Devoted to football, I really don’t know how to find the right words at times like these. Condolences to the loved ones, it is a terrible loss.’
In its statement after Sarkic’s death, the Montenegrin Football Association called him a ‘beloved member of the “Brave Falcons”, an eternally smiling guy, played for our senior team in nine games, in which he showed how much he means to this team.’
Matija Sarkic joined Wolves in July 2020(Getty)
Sarkic, who was born in Grimsby, began his youth career at Belgian club Anderlecht before he joined Aston Villa’s academy in 2015.
During his time at Villa he was sent out on loan to Wigan Athletic, Stratford Town, Havant & Waterlooville, and Scottish Premiership side Livingston.
After leaving Villa, Sarkic signed for Wolves in July 2020 before he was sent out to Shrewsbury Town on loan six weeks later. He then had loan spells at Birmingham City and Stoke City before his move to Millwall last year.
Sarkic was able to represent Montenegro’s national side due to his Montenegrin father, Bojan, who was an EU ambassador for the nation.
He made nine senior appearances for Montenegro’s national side and also represented the national side at the European Under-17 Championship in 2013.
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