The 26-year-old goalie Matija Sarkic has received tributes from Stoke City.
During a half-season loan with Stoke in 2023, Sarkic showed signs of promise, and that summer, he was anticipated to return permanently. Ultimately, he chose to play for Millwall, where he made an impression against Stoke by keeping two clean sheets in the previous campaign, leading the team to safety in the Championship and solidifying his position as Montenegro’s top player.
He passed away this morning in the town of Budva, Montenegro, devastating the football community.
The club released a statement saying as follows: “Stoke City Football Club is startled and very grieved to learn of the terribly young age at which the Club’s former goalkeeper Matija Šarkić passed away.
“An international for Montenegro, Matija came to the Potters on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 2023. Before making his way back to Molineux and then moving to Millwall the following summer, he played in eight games.”
“Everyone associated with Stoke City sends their sympathies and best wishes to Matija’s family and friends during this difficult time. We offer our condolences and support to the Montenegrin national team, the Millwall Football Club, and all other football enthusiasts who have known Matija as a friend, colleague, and teammate.”
“Millwall Football Club is completely devastated to announce that Matija Sarkic has passed away at the age of 26,” a statement from the team said. The top custodian for The Lions, Sarkic, joined the team in August 2023 from Wolverhampton Wanderers and has since made 33 appearances. Matija was a proud international for Montenegro who played a number of key roles for his nation.
“At this really difficult moment, Matija’s family and friends are receiving the love and sympathies of the entire club. The club requests that Matija’s family’s privacy be respected and will not be commenting further at this time.”
He had played for Aston Villa’s youth squad. The club released the following statement: “We are all very heartbroken to learn of the demise of our former goalie, Matija Šarkić. Matija became a member of our Academy in 2015 and stayed with the team for five years, making his Montenegrin debut on the international scene before leaving in the summer of 2020.
“The thoughts and condolences of all at the club are with his family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”
