Date: 5th May 2015 at 8:16pm
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Manager Neil Harris has said that the character of players he targets this summer will be key to our recruitment strategy as we prepare for life in League One.

With Harris and his backroom staff looking at potential options for a new look Millwall with a true Millwall attitude in the camp, Harris told the official site that plans were already well underway in that process and it could be a busy summer.

‘We’ve got a lot of players out of contract and a lot of players who need a fresh start. The mix in the players needs to be right. There needs to be energy and there needs to be pace, but you need experience as well; you need players that can lead the dressing room.’

Harris says he’s very mindful about the attitude players will need to have to represent Millwall properly and he knows first hand what that takes so everybody will have due dilligence done on them and that will be a key attribute for him moving forward.

‘Myself and Livers have been extremely busy the last eight weeks going to games, studying players, speaking to people and gathering information. We’ve been looking for next season for a period of time now. Now we know what division we’re going to be in we can knuckle down and really get the recruitment right.’

As part of that recruitment Millwall have brought in Gillingham defender Mahlon Romeo on a 12 month deal. The 19 year old joined Gillingham back in the summer of 2012 on scholarship terms having previously come through the youth ranks of Arsenal and Wycombe Wanderers.

The right back actually featured in a few of our Development Squad fixtures at the end of this season as we assessed him.

Having now joined the club officially, he said.

‘I already know Alfie Pavey from my time at Gillingham, Alfie was at Maidstone then and we used to play them quite a bit in friendlies and so on. Everyone has been really friendly here already and I’m delighted to sign for Millwall.’

Young duo Ben Thompson and Keaton Wood have also signed contract extensions at the club as they continue their own development.

19 year old midfielder Thompson has signed on until the end of next season having featured regularly for the U21 side this season and of course was in line to make his senior league debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers until Jamie Philpot picked up his injury.

Speaking himself over the 12 month extension he explained.

‘I was buzzing, I couldn’t wait to get on and had to look at Powelly who said to me to calm down. I was standing on the touchline and Chopper said wait a few seconds as Jamie was hobbling a bit. Alfie went on instead. I was delighted for him but devastated at the time, but I can look back now and laugh. It’s been a good season for me personally, but going down is not the best. I made my debut against Southampton in the Cup which was the best feeling I have ever had and also now signed a new deal, which is fantastic. I can’t wait to start the new season – hopefully get my League debut – and really push on from there.’

19 year old defender Wood has also signed a 12 month extension to his deal and joked that the new season can’t come quick enough for him because he wants to join a number of his fellow Academy graduates in the first team now.

‘I went on loan at the end of the season to Billericay and it was a different experience to playing for the U21s. It’s all about having a decent challenge – and that’s what I have here. I thought getting my first year pro was quite tough, even getting my scholar was quite tough, but to get this one I feel really privileged to even be considered. Not many people get this. I have worked so hard to get here, but that doesn’t mean I can stop. I am only 19-years-old and have still got so much to learn. It’s good to see so many boys pushing through to the first team; Sid, Powelly, Jamie scoring his goal at the weekend, Aiden and Alfie. It’s exciting times and hopefully I’m looking to push on myself next season.’

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