Millwall, Coventry City and Rangers receive boost in free transfer race for ex Premier League defender

Millwall coud still make the most of the free agent market.Millwall coud still make the most of the free agent market.
Millwall coud still make the most of the free agent market. | Getty Images
The former Hull City and Fulham man has four potential suitors in the Championship and Scottish Premiership.

Millwall, Coventry City and Plymouth Argyle have been handed a boost in the pursuit of free agent Cyrus Christie by news that Championship rivals Preston North End are no longer in the race for the defender.

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The 31-year-old left Hull City on the expiry of his contract following the end of last season and is in the market for a new club. The transfer window has closed but EFL sides can still add free agents to their squads, so long as there remains space, past Deadline Day.

It had been thought that Preston North End were serious contenders in an already packed field of suitors but the Lancashire Post now claims that Paul Heckingbottom is not working on a deal for the former Fulham and Middlesbrough man.

Football League World relays that report and adds that four clubs remain interested in the player's services. Millwall are amongst them, with second-tier rivals Coventry City and Plymouth Argyle namechecked. Glasgow giants Rangers are the fourth side linked.

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Preston North End only signed five players this summer and are under new management, which had fuelled rumours of a potential move. However, the club is not believed to have the wage budget to bring Christie in, even without a transfer fee having to be paid.

Cyrus Christie left Hull City this summer.Cyrus Christie left Hull City this summer.
Cyrus Christie left Hull City this summer. | Getty Images

The defender made 27 Championship appearances for Hull City last season and has a total of 320 second tier outings to his name - Christie also feature in the Premier League for Fulham during the 2018/19 season. The Tigers narrowly missed out on play-off action last year, finishing seventh, just three points off Norwich City in sixth place.

Millwall added Japhet Tanganga and Calum Scanlon to their defensive ranks this summer, the former on a permanent deal and the latter on loan from Liverpool. Neil Harris' side have managed three clean sheets already this season, against Portsmouth, Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday but have blown hot and cold with stability at the back, conceding three against Watford and four against Bristol City in the league.

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