EXPLAINED: What happened to late Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic

Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic tragically passed away early Saturday morning at the age of 26 after becoming suddenly ill in his native Montenegro.

Details emerging shed light on the circumstances surrounding his untimely death in Budva, Montenegro. Sarkic was reportedly feeling unwell while spending time with friends in an apartment early Saturday morning, leading to the tragic turn of events.

“An ambulance rushed to the scene after Sarkic fell ill, but despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he was pronounced dead around 6:30 a.m. local time,” reported the Daily Mail.

“The night before his death, Sarkic had enjoyed dinner with friends at a nearby restaurant, appearing in good spirits.”

The exact cause of death is still under investigation, although initial reports from local authorities suggest it may have been due to natural causes.

Born in Grimsby and the son of Montenegro ambassador Bojan Sarkic, Matija Sarkic had made a significant impact on the pitch. Just over a week ago, he represented Montenegro in an international friendly against Belgium. His club, Millwall, where he had been the first-choice goalkeeper, expressed profound sorrow over the loss.

“Millwall Football Club is completely devastated to announce that Matija Sarkic has passed away,” read a statement on the club’s official website.

Sarkic joined Millwall in August 2023 from Wolverhampton Wanderers and quickly established himself as a key player, making 33 appearances for the club. He was celebrated for his commitment on the field, evident from his 77 saves and 12 clean sheets during his tenure.

The club has requested privacy for the player’s family and announced that they would black out their social media profiles in his memory.