Matija’s glow will live on

MATIJA SARKIC 1997-2024

By Matthew Nash

SORELY MISSED: Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic passed away last Saturday

PICTURE: Alamy

MATIJA SARKIC’s former clubs in Non-League have paid tribute to the Millwall goalkeeper after his shock death at the age of 26.

Sarkic reportedly fell ill at an apartment in the town of Budva in his home country of Montenegro last Saturday morning.

The Grimsby-born No.1 began his career in Anderlecht’s academy before joining Aston Villa in 2015. He had loan spells at Wigan, Stratford Town, Havant & Waterlooville and Livingston before moving to Wolves in 2020.

He played 60 games during loan spells at Shrewsbury, Birmingham and Stoke before signing for the Lions last August, making 33 appearances and establishing himself as the club’s first-choice keeper.

Those early days in the semi-pro game, learning his trade, shaped him into the player he was to become, according to Havant general manager Gary Pratt.

He said: “We are very saddened and shocked to hear of Matija’s passing. We knew from the moment he joined our club in 2019 that he was a very bright prospect and we are just so sad for his family and friends.

“Matija was a very kind and courteous guy, everyone says the same thing about him. He had a dream to succeed in the game and everyone was really happy for him when he was playing regular EFL football with Millwall. He was going all the way in his career, we were all sure about that.”

Sarkic also turned out for Stratford of the Southern League Premier Central on a youth loan from December 2018.

Bards chairman Jed McCrory said: “I did read an article where he said the turning point for him was his loan with us.

“Matija had an aura about him, I call it the Ready Brek glow. He had such a calm way about

him, no arrogance, and his professionalism showed the lads at our club who were aspiring to be pros how to do things.

“They were quite protective about him as he would get whacked all over the place. Coming to us was a wake-up call for him but a good one that he stepped up to.

“I always kept an eye on him as he was such a great kid. You just knew he would go on to have a great career and he always stayed in touch.”

Debut

Sarkic made his international debut against Belarus in 2019 and was on international duty the week before his death in a friendly against Belgium. The Montenegrin FA said in a statement he had “died suddenly”.

His twin brother Oliver, also British-born, plays for Montenegro top-flight outfit Decic but had spells with Leeds United, Burton Albion, Blackpool and Mansfield Town after starting with Benfica as a teenager.

He posted on X: “Thank you everyone for the love and support shown to Matija and our family. Really shows the amazing person he was.

“I wish he was still here with us but I couldn’t be more proud to say he was my twin brother. Life won’t be the same without you. Rest in peace, we love you.”