Sarkic death 'heartbreaking' for Millwall - Harris

Matija Sarkic died unexpectedly on Saturday, the Montenegro Football Association said

Millwall head coach Neil Harris says the club must stick together through a "heart-breaking" time following the death of goalkeeper Matija Sarkic.

Harris said losing Montenegro international Sarkic was a "moment of despair" for everyone associated with Millwall.

The Montenegro Football Association said the 26-year-old died suddenly on Saturday morning, with local media saying he collapsed in his apartment in Budva in Montenegro.

Harris, who replaced Joe Edwards in charge at The Den in February, paid an emotional tribute to Sarkic earlier this week in which he praised him as a player and a person.

Speaking to BBC Radio London on Wednesday, he said he would continue to instil the values into his players that are the club's "biggest strength" to help get them through the difficult time.

'A real moment of despair'

Neil Harris said Millwall 'must be together' as they mourn goalkeeper Matija Sarkic

"The fans use the phrase 'Will-wall' and 'Once a lion, always a lion' - that has to be the case now and that's what I have been instilling in the players.

"This is a real moment of despair and a heartbreaking time.

"We have to be together in this and we will, and now [we] have to move forward."

Sarkic, who was born in Grimsby, spent time in the academies of Anderlecht, in Belgium, and Aston Villa.

He moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and had loan spells at Shrewsbury Town, Birmingham City and Stoke City before joining the Lions last summer.

He made 33 appearances for Millwall and was capped nine times by Montenegro.