Millwall offer honest assessment as Rangers transfer saga concludes | OneFootball

Millwall have revealed they’re “disappointed and saddened” to see 16-year-old striker Zak Lovelace leave The Den to join Scottish giants Rangers in a club statement following the teenager’s exit.

Lovelace became the second-youngest player in the Championship club’s history when he was handed his debut by Gary Rowett as a 15-year-old last term and went on to make four senior appearances in 2022/23.

But he turned down the offer of a new contract from the south London club in favour of joining Rangers in a move that was confirmed yesterday.

Millwall “regretfully” announced the news and did not mince their words in outlining their frustration.

A statement on the club website reads: “The club is disappointed and saddened by this outcome having worked tirelessly over many months to convince Lovelace, his family, and his representatives that Millwall remained the ideal destination for the striker to continue his personal and professional development.

“Despite these frustrations, everyone at Millwall wishes Lovelace the best of luck in his future career and hopes that he goes on to realise his outstanding potential.”

As it was a freedom of contract move to a club outside English football, Millwall will be due nominal compensation – with The Athletic reporting recently they’re set to receive around £100,000.

Lovelace joined the Lions from Kent club Glebe FC in 2019 and impressed at age-group level before getting his chance with the senior side.

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The Verdict

This is far from the first exciting young EFL player that has been pinched by one of the SPFL’s big clubs and it won’t be the last.

Millwall have not held back in their assessment of the situation and you can certainly understand their frustration.

To lose the 16-year-old just when he was beginning to contribute at first-team level is a difficult blow to take, particularly given it appears there would’ve been more opportunities for him in 2022/23.

With Matt Smith and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson both leaving in the January window, Lovelace had risen up the pecking order in terms of the Lions’ forward options.