Former Aston Villa, Wolves and Birmingham player Matija Sarkic tragically dies

Former Aston Villa, Wolves and Birmingham player Matija Sarkic has tragically died.

The goalkeeper, who joined Championship side Millwall last summer from The Old Gold, was 26.

Sarkic is reported to have fallen ill in the Montenegrin town of Budva on Saturday morning, just days after producing a man-of-the-match display for Montenegro against Belgium.

Friends immediately called for medical help but he reportedly died around 6.30am local time.

The Grimsby-born Lions player joined Villa in 2015 as an 18-year-old from Anderlect. The majority of that time was spent on loan, with the stopper joining Wolves in 2020 on a free transfer without making a first-team appearance at Villa Park.

It was a similar story at Molineux - but Sarkic got more game time at Birmingham, where he featured 23 times on loan during the 2021-22 season.

A permanent move to Millwall was sanctioned last summer, with the 26-year-old signing a long-term contract. There, the keeper established himself as the London side’s No1, featuring 33 times last season.

His last game for the Lions was a 1-0 win at Swansea on May 4. Sarkic, who was capped nine times by Montenegro, played the full 90 minutes as his country lost 2-0 to Belgium in Brussels.

A statement from Birmingham City read: “Everyone at Birmingham City is shocked and saddened to learn of the news that our former goalkeeper, Matija Sarkic, has passed away at the age of 26. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and all those that knew him.”

Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Villa said: ‘Everyone at Aston Villa is deeply saddened by news of the passing of our former goalkeeper Matija Šarkić. ‘Matija joined our Academy in 2015 and spent five years with the club, during which time he made his full international debut for Montenegro, before departing 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.’

A statement from Milwall read: "Millwall Football Club is completely devastated to announce that Matija Sarkic has passed away at the age of 26. Sarkic, The Lions' number one goalkeeper, made 33 appearances for the club since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2023.

"A Montenegro international, Matija proudly represented his country on numerous occasions. Everyone at the club sends their love and condolences to Matija's family and friends at this immensely sad time. The club will make no further comment at this time and asks that the privacy of Matija's family is respected."