Matija Sarkic, a goalkeeper who played for English second-tier club Millwall and represented Montenegro internationally, has passed away.
He was 26.
“Millwall Football Club is completely devastated to announce that Matija Sarkic has passed away at the age of 26,” the club announced.
Millwall Football Club is completely devastated to announce that Matija Sarkic has passed away at the age of 26.
— Millwall FC (@MillwallFC) June 15, 2024
According to The Guardian, Sarkic reportedly fell ill at an apartment in the town of Budva in Montenegro.
Sarkic made his last appearance for Montenegro in a 2-0 friendly defeat to Belgium on June 5, 2024.
WATCH:
This was Matija Sarkic just 10 days ago. Man of the match for his country.
A little over a week later and he’s no longer with us. Fantastic talent and by all accounts a lovely young man. You will be missed 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/WgK4C402m7
— JP (@JPMillwall2) June 15, 2024
Per The Guardian:
The Grimsby-born Sarkic began his career in Anderlecht’s academy before joining Aston Villa in 2015. He had loan spells at Wigan, Stratford, Havant and Waterlooville and Livingston and moved to Wolves in 2020. He played 60 games during loan spells at Shrewsbury, Birmingham and Stoke before 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. The Montenegro FA said in a statement that Sarkic had “died suddenly” 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 said. “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.”
Heartbreaking news that Millwall and Montenegro goalkeeper Matija Sarkic has tragically passed away, aged 26.
Thoughts with family… rest in peace, Matija. pic.twitter.com/uJm5mdV18E
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 15, 2024
Such tragic news. RIP Matija Sarkic @MillwallFC pic.twitter.com/SMe09KKPfp
— Andy (@SkyBlueMacca) June 15, 2024
From the Associated Press:
“Everyone at the club sends their love and condolences to Matija’s family and friends at this immensely sad time,” Millwall said.
“The club will make no further comment at this time and asks that the privacy of Matija’s family is respected.”
Sarkic played 33 times for Millwall, a club in London, after joining from Premier League team Wolverhampton in August last year.
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