'Fantastic' ex-Sheffield Wednesday & QPR midfielder training with Millwall after release by relegated Premier League club

Millwall have quietly gone under the radar in recent years to edge closer to a play-off finish, with five top-half finishes in six years signifying steady progression and culminating in an eighth-placed finish in 2024/25.

The Lions were still in with a shout with a top-six finish when they visited Burnley on the final day and victory at Turf Moor would have seen Alex Neil’s side qualify for the play-offs in the most unlikely of circumstances. It was not meant to be, but optimism remains high for the new campaign.

Neil’s side have been relatively quiet in the transfer window so far, apart from breaking their club-record transfer fee when signing former loanee Josh Coburn from Middlesborough in a deal worth up to £5m. Full-back Zac Sturge has joined for an undisclosed fee following a loan from Chelsea, while Max Crocombe has joined for free to bolster the goalkeeping department.

Former Premier League star could add experience to Lions midfield

Former Ipswich Town midfielder Massimo Luongo is reportedly training with Millwall as per The Mirror, who state the 32-year-old Australian international is hoping to secure a contract with the Lions.

Luongo is currently out in Spain with Neil’s men on their pre-season camp and may hope to be a part of the Lions squad for their opening Championship fixture against Norwich at Carrow Road on August 9. He could add experience in the midfield area following the departures of long-term stalwarts George Saville and George Honeyman.

Former QPR and Sheffield Wednesday man Luongo featured 11 times in the Premier League last season as the Tractor Boys were relegated. The midfielder was a key part of the Ipswich squad which achieved back-to-back promotions after signing on a free transfer from Middlesbrough in January 2023. His career reached remarkable new heights at Portman Road and Town fans will have been sad to see him go when he was released after relegation was confirmed.

Kieran McKenna hails ‘fantastic player’ Luongo

Following the announcement that Luongo will be leaving the club, Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna said: “We had a good chat with Massimo yesterday, I think it’s right that he gets the opportunity on the last day to have clarity and I know the supporters will want to give him a good reception and wish him well. In return, he will want a chance to say goodbye and play a part in a good team performance.

“It’s going to be sad to see him go, he’s been a fantastic player. His record from when he arrived for the next 18 months speaks for itself, probably goes down as one of the best win records of anyone in EFL history, certainly for a free transfer. So it has been an incredible journey that he has been a very big part of and I think he’s still got some great football ahead of him.

“That was a part of the decision between us, in that I think he deserves the chance to go out and play a lot of football next year because he’s still got some good football in him. Massimo goes with everyone’s respect and best wishes, and gratitude for what he has done over the last couple of seasons. Looking forward to what he can do next season as well.”