Millwall and Montenegro goalkeeper Matija Sarkic dies tragically aged 29

Millwal FC and Montenegro national team goalkeeper Matija Sarkic tragically passed away on June 15 morning at age 29, after reportedly collapsing at his apartment in Budva. Both Milwal and the Montenegro team have confirmed the news about Sarkic’s untimely death, sending prayers and condolences to his family. Sarkic previously played for Premier League club Wolverhamton Wanderers, before making a move to the EFL Championship with Millwal back in August 2023. The Montenegrin goalkeeper has also had playing stints for Aston Villa, where he started out from the side’s academy, followed by stints at Birmingham City and Stoke City.

The football world was sent into shock after the news of Sarkic’s passing, with fans sending wishes to the family of the 29-year-old. The Grimsby-born goalkeeper initially played for Belgian side Anderlecht’s youth-division before joining the Aston Villa academy in England. During his time with the Premier League side, he had loan spells at clubs like Wigan Athletic, Stratford Town, Havant & Waterlooville before joining Wolves on a permanent deal in 2020. After his move to Millwal, Sarkic made a total of 33 appearances for the championship side last season. Sarkic’s last football match came in Montenegro’s international friendly against Belgium on June 5, where he suffered a 5-0 loss.

“A beloved member of the ‘Brave Falcons’, an eternally smiling guy, played for our ‘A’ selection in nine games, in which he showed how much he means to this team. Together with his twin brother Oliver, he passed all the junior categories of the Montenegrin national team. In the jersey of that iconic London club [Millwall], he left his mark, which was yet to become part of a bigger and more beautiful story,” A statement from the Montenegro Football Association said.

“Premature death stopped that and caused great pain to the Sarkic family. The Football Association of Montenegro expresses its sincere condolences to the Sarkic family,” the statement read further.

Both the club and the national team have denied making any further comments on Sarkic’s death, citing their focus on giving provacy to the player’s family and friends.