How did Matija Sarkic die? The Millwall and Montenegro goalkeeper has died aged 26

Matija Sarkic has died aged 26, Millwall have announced. Sarkic was reported to have taken ill in an apartment in the Montenegrin city of Budva on Saturday morning while abroad during the closed season – with no further details.

His “short illness” resulted in an outpouring of grief. “Millwall Football Club is completely devastated to announce that Matija Sarkic has passed away at the age of 26,” the Championship club said in a statement. “Everyone at the club sends their love and condolences to Matija’s family and friends at this extremely sad time.

“The club will make no further comment at this time and ask that the privacy of Matija’s family be respected.” Sarkic joined Aston Villa in 2015 and enjoyed loan spells at Wigan Athletic, Stratford, Havant & Waterlooville and Livingston.

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Moved to Wolves in 2020. Played 60 games during loan spells at Shrewsbury, Birmingham and Stoke before joining Millwall last August. The Montenegrin FA said in a statement that Sarkic died suddenly on Saturday morning.

“A beloved member of the Brave Falcons, a guy with an eternal smile, played for our ‘A’ team in nine games where he showed how much he means to this team,” the statement added. “Together with his twin brother Oliver, he passed all the junior categories of the Montenegrin national team.

“In the shirt of that iconic club in London (Millwall), he left his mark, which was yet to become part of a bigger and more beautiful story. His untimely death stopped that and caused great pain to the Sarkic family. The Association of Football of Montenegro expresses its sincere condolences to the Sarkic family.”

The Football Association added: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends, as well as everyone at the club and the Montenegro national team at this very sad time.”