Defender sets Premier League aim after Millwall move as Leeds United handed warning over midfield target

Japhet Tanganga has set his sights on a Premier League return after joining Millwall on a two-year deal.

The 25-year-old defender enjoyed a successful loan spell with the Lions last season as he made 18 appearances after moving to The Den from Tottenham Hotspur during the January transfer window. That move came on the back of a challenging short-term move to German club Augsberg where the former England Under-21 star failed to make a single appearance. However, Tanganga’s time with Millwall proved to be far more productive and played a key role in persuading him to make a permanent move when his Spurs contract came to an end earlier this summer.

Ahead of Saturday’s first game of the season at home to Watford, the versatile defender admitted he is fully focused on enjoying regular game-time in the Championship - but conceded he would also relish an opportunity to return to the Premier League at some point in the future.

He told PA Sport: “For me it is important to deal with what’s in front of me and that’s to play as many games in the Championship. Of course the Premier League, I have played in it, seen what it is like and I would love to go back there. That is on my mind for the future, but for now it is to concentrate on playing in the Championship and that is definitely at a high level.

“If we continue the way we finished off last season with that foundation, the way we put together that consistent run, if we continue to be good defensively and listen to what the gaffer wants, then who knows what can happen? It is definitely an aim to finish higher than we did last season and win as many games as possible. We want to try to get into the play-offs or even the automatic-promotion places.”

Club official makes bold claim over Leeds United target

Leeds United’s bid to boost their midfield options have been disrupted after Koln director of football Thomas Kessler revealed he does not believe reported Whites target Dejan Ljubicic will leave the Bundesliga II club.

The Austrian international endured a difficult season last time out as his side were relegated from German football’s second tier but has bounced back to show some encouraging form in pre-season and started for Koln in their opening day defeat against Hamburg last weekend. Despite speculation linking Kessler with a £3.4m move to Elland Road, the former Rapid Vienna star is still expected to feature when his side visit SV Elversberg on Saturday night and he will head into the game after being delivered a bold message over his future.

He told German outlet KSTA: “I’m not afraid that Dejo will leave the club. We have even built an Austrian coaching team for him so that he will lack nothing here, so I firmly believe that he will remain our player.”