Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic dies aged 26
Millwall goalkeeper and Montenegro international Matija Sarkic has died at the age of 26, the club have announced.
It has been reported that Sarkic fell ill at an apartment in the town of Budva, in Montenegro, on Saturday morning.
The Sky Bet Championship side said in a statement that it is "completely devastated" to learn of Sarkic's passing, adding: "Everyone at the club sends their love and condolences to Matija's family and friends at this immensely sad time."
The statement continued: "The club will make no further comment at this time and asks that the privacy of Matija's family is respected."
The Montenegro Football Association said in a statement that Sarkic had "died suddenly" on Saturday morning.
"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," the statement added.
"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.
"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."
Aston Villa, whom Sarkic joined from Belgian side Anderlecht in 2015, was among his former clubs who paid tribute on Saturday, writing on X: "Everyone at Aston Villa is deeply saddened by news of the passing of our former goalkeeper Matija Sarkic."
A statement continued: "The thoughts and condolences of all at the club are with his family and friends at this incredibly sad time."
Birmingham City posted on X: "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."
Stoke City said it is "shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the Club's former goalkeeper Matija Sarkic at the tragically young age of 26".
Grimsby-born Sarkic began his career in Anderlecht's academy before joining Villa nine years ago.
Sarkic had loan spells at Wigan, Stratford, Havant and Waterlooville, and Livingston before moving to Wolves in 2020.
He played 60 games during loan spells at Shrewsbury, Birmingham and Stoke, joining Millwall last August, where he made 33 appearances.
Sarkic made his Montenegro debut against Belarus in 2019 and was on international duty last week for a friendly against Belgium.
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