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At the age of 26, Matija Sarkic, the goalie for Livingston in the past, passed away, as confirmed by his current team, Millwall.

The Montenegrin internationalist Sarkic reportedly became unwell on Saturday morning at his residence in the town of Budva, Montenegro.

The Sky Bet Championship team released a statement saying, “Millwall Football Club is completely devastated to announce that Matija Sarkic has passed away at the age of 26.” “At this incredibly difficult time, everyone at the club sends their love and condolences to Matija’s family and friends.” The club requests that the privacy of Matija’s family be respected and will not be commenting further at this time.

Sarkic, who earned eight caps for Montenegro, spent the 2019–20 season on loan from Villa and played eighteen games for Livingston. After a fruitful stint in West Lothian, he returned to his original club in January 2020 and was a member of the Lions squad that defeated Celtic 2-0 at home.

“Livingston Football Club is devastated to hear the heartbreaking news that Millwall and Montenegro goalkeeper Matija Sarkic has tragically passed away,” the Livingston statement said. Right now, our thoughts are with the family. Peace be with you, Matija.

Sarkic, who was raised in Grimsby, started out in the Anderlecht academy before moving to Aston Villa in 2015. He was farmed out to Livingston and went on loan to Wigan, Stratford, Havant, and Waterlooville before joining Wolves permanently in 2020.

Before joining Millwall in August of last year, he played 60 games while on loan at Shrewsbury, Birmingham, and Stoke. In that time, he made 33 appearances and established himself as the team’s starting goalkeeper.

Sarkic made his Montenegro debut against Belarus in 2019. Last week, while on international duty, he played a man-of-the-match performance in a friendly against Belgium.

“What terrible news to wake up to this morning that our goalkeeper Matija Sarkic has passed away at the young age of 26,” the Millwall Supporters’ Club wrote on X. Tragic news for his loved ones, friends, and those of us who are connected to Millwall. A lion is a lion once, always.”

“Everyone at Aston Villa is deeply saddened by news of our former goalkeeper Matija Šarkić’s passing,” the former team said.

Before leaving the club in the summer of 2020, Matija made his full international debut for Montenegro during his five years with us, having joined our Academy in 2015.

“At this deeply sad moment, the club’s thoughts and sympathies go out to his family and friends.

Other English clubs were ready to honour Sarkic. “At this very sad time, everyone at #LUFC is thinking of Matija’s family, friends, and everyone connected to Millwall.” Leeds remarked, “May Matija rest in peace.

“The thoughts of all at Ipswich Town are with Matija’s family and friends and everyone at Millwall at this incredibly sad time,” the newly promoted Premier League team Ipswich said.

‘Everyone at Crystal Palace expresses their heartfelt condolences to Matija’s family, friends, and the club at this extremely sad moment,’ the post reads. Crystal Palace also sent their regards.