Matija Sarkic: Millwall to retire shirt number as tributes planned for late goalkeeper | OneFootball

Lions will honour Sarkic, who died in June aged 26, before their Championship opener against Watford at The Den next month

Millwall have announced that they are retiring the No20 shirt as part of their tributes to late goalkeeper Matija Sarkic.

Sarkic died suddenly back in June at the age of 26 and Millwall have been in continuous dialogue with his family about how best to honour him.

The club confirmed on Tuesday - which would have been Sarkic’s 27th birthday - that they will be retiring the No20 shirt in memory of the goalkeeper and plans are also underway to produce a mural painting, which will feature in the Cold Blow Lane concourse at The Den.

Millwall will also introduce the opportunity for fans to vote for their 2024/25 ‘Save of the Season’, with the winner presented with the ‘Matija Sarkic Award’.

Sarkic will be honoured at Millwall’s opening game of the new Championship season, which is against Watford at The Den on August 10.

The goalkeeper’s parents, Bojan and Natalie, brothers Oliver and Danilo, and partner Phoebe, will all be at the game and pitchside in the 15 minutes before kick-off.

Commemorations will take place then, starting with a tribute video in memory of Sarkic being played on the big screen.

Once finished, the players and officials, all wearing black armbands, will emerge from the tunnel with both captains carrying wreaths.

A minute’s applause will then take place as both sides gather at the centre circle, before the captains lay their respective wreaths behind each goal.

Fans have been advised to take to their seats early to ensure that they do not miss any of the planned tributes that are taking place.