Neil Harris explains how Millwall beat 'bigger clubs' to statement summer signing

Millwall boss Neil Harris has been speaking about the signing of defender Japhet Tanganga and how the Lions managed to beat rivals to the deal. Tanganga was once expected to have a Premier League career after bursting on to the scene with Tottenham, but he later fell down the pecking order and joined Millwall on loan for the second half of last season.

The centre-back quickly became a key part of the club’s efforts, making 18 league appearances and helping the Lions move away from relegation trouble and secure a 13th place finish. Harris will be looking to build on that momentum during his first full season back in charge, and one of his first orders of business this summer was to bring back Tanganga on a permanent deal.

Despite the centre-back attracting interest from elsewhere, the Lions were able to wrap up a deal worth a reported £3million. Speaking about the deal to the Southwark News, Harris said: “All I can do is praise Japhet. We spoke at least once a week, if not two, three times. Really open, strong relationship. There’s been times when it looked like Japh might end up somewhere that’s seen as bigger clubs and better levels than us and we had to hang in there.

“My relationship with Japh has always been strong and positive and important in this and ultimately he’s come because he loved his time here and wants to help us get better. But also it feels like a good home for him to improve his game but also show the world he can play a round of fixtures as well. So no, I wasn’t always confident in Japhet coming and probably relieved to get him over the line as much as anything.”

Tanganga’s loan spell at The Den last season was always going to give Millwall an advantage in the race to sign him permanently, with the defender enjoying his time at the club. “I think the relationships he built here certainly helped get it over the line,” Harris added. “The success he had here as a player with so many clean sheets and that we only let nine goals in 13 games was instrumental in his decision-making.

“The love he had from the changing room and fanbase was hugely vital to him as well. My first game at Southampton he became almost a cult hero on day one of my tenure, and that’s brilliant for him and certainly helped. Having him in the building certainly helps us move forward as a group to be the best we can. But I’m not going to put myself and my group under too much pressure at the moment. We have to navigate through pre-season and then our aim is to be as good as we were last year if not be better.”

Tanganga’s career aim will surely be to return to the Premier League, still only 25 years of age, and while Millwall won’t be expected to be among the promotion teams in the coming season, Harris will want to see if he can get his men at least competing for a top-half or play-off spot as part of the year-on-year progression the club will want to see.