Sarkic, a Montenegro international last donned his country’s jersey on June 5 in a 2-0 friendly defeat to Belgium
By Kehinde Okeowo
Millwall goalkeeper, Matija Sarkic, has passed on at the age of 26.
Sarkic, a Montenegro international, joined the Championship club from Wolves in August 2023 and made 33 appearances last season.
According to The Montenegro Football Association (FSCG), he fell ill while on international duty and died on Saturday morning.
He was in the coastal Montenegro town of Budva, when he collapsed while with friends at an apartment and despite quickly taking him to the hospital, he gave up the ghost around 6:30 am local time.
The FSCG described Sarkic as a “beloved member” of the national squad and an “eternally smiling guy”.
“His untimely death has caused great pain to the Sarkic family,” it added.
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Also announcing his demise, Championship side, Millwall, eulogised him in a statement and blacked out their X profile out of respect.
“Everyone at the club sends their love and condolences to Matija’s family and friends at this immensely sad time,” the Lions said.
He last donned the Montenegro jersey on June 5 in a 2-0 friendly defeat to Belgium.
Sarkic, who was born in Grimsby, played youth-team football for Belgian side Anderlecht before joining Aston Villa.
He had loan spells with Wigan, Stratford Town, Havant & Waterlooville and Livingston before a permanent move to Wolves in 2020.
Loans at Shrewsbury Town, Birmingham City – where he made 23 appearances on loan during the 2021-22 season – and Stoke City followed before his move to Millwall.