Millwall finalise two transfers with Sunderland agreement struck as Leeds United 'submit bid' for £3.4m man
Millwall had a busy day of transfer business on Thursday with one incoming and one outgoing confirmed
It was a busy day of transfer dealings for Millwall on Thursday with Tom Bradshaw officially leaving the club to be immediately replaced by Aaron Connolly.
Bradshaw has ended a six-and-a-half year spell with the Lions, having first joined the club from Barnsley in August 2018. He has moved to Championship rivals Oxford United on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee. He made 211 appearances and scored 45 goals during his time at Millwall. During the 2022-23 campaign he was the club’s top-scorer with 17 goals.
Of his decision to leave the Den, Bradshaw told the Oxford United club website: “This is something that I feel like I need in my career. This is a fresh start, a fresh challenge, and I’m ready to go out and impress everyone here at the club. My aim is to leave everything out on the pitch, that’s the type of player I am. I thrive off scoring goals and ultimately, it’s my job now to do that so I can help the team win games.
“I have seen first-hand this season how strong and competitive the team here is having played against United twice, and this group is one that I want to be involved in. The cherry on top is getting to work with Gary [Rowett] again who was my coach for four years, so I know what he wants from me and hopefully we can deliver together.”
Connolly fills attacking void
Connolly has immediately filled the attacking void left by Bradshaw as he joins from Championship rivals Sunderland. The length of his contract has not been confirmed. He made his professional debut with Brighton and Hove Albion and had spells with Hull City and Middlesbrough before joining the Black Cats. Connolly will be available to Alex Neil for the Championship clash with Hull on Saturday.
Millwall's Director of Football, Steve Gallen, said: "We're pleased to bring Aaron into the club. When Alex and I met him, we really liked his enthusiasm for what we want to do here. Aaron's been a bit unlucky not to play a bit more at Sunderland this season, but that has given us an opportunity to get him in. Still only 24, Aaron has a lot of experience for his age. He is at his best when running at defenders and we hope he gets plenty of opportunities to do that with us."
Leeds ‘submit bid’ for midfielder
Millwall have been drawn to face Leeds United in the fourth round of the FA Cup with the tie to be played on the weekend starting February 8. Ahead of the game, the Whites are reportedly eager to strengthen their ranks with Daniel Farke’s side also eyeing a spot in the Premier League next season. Millwall have already beaten the Whites this term as they recorded a 1-0 win over the Elland Road club at the Den earlier in the campaign.
The Whites have made a bid of around £3.4m for U.D. Leiria defensive midfielder Dje D’avilla. That is according to journalist Sebastiao Sousa Pinto, with a number of European clubs keeping tabs on the player. Leiria play in the second tier in Portugal with D’avilla joining the club in the summer of 2022. He is contracted for another two-and-half years and has played in 15 of the club’s 17 Liga Portugal 2 fixtures this term, starting 13 times.