Exclusive: Matt Smith agrees new Millwall contract

Matt Smith has verbally agreed a new contract with Millwall.

The experienced striker, 32, was due to be a free agent at the start of next month.

The Lions offered fresh deals, but on reduced terms, to Smith and centre-back Alex Pearce.

Both men have opted to sign up for another 12 months in SE16.

Former Fulham, QPR and Leeds United frontman Smith made seven Championship starts for Millwall in the 2020-21 campaign. In total he has netted 19 goals in 77 matches for the South London outfit.

“The offers we have made might not be acceptable to them and they might choose to move on,” Rowett told our paper in the middle of May, when asked about Smith and Pearce. “But we’re trying to see if we can come to an agreement.

“Every player has a right to see what is out there. Especially in those two cases, their offers are slightly reduced – in line with covid and where we feel the market is.

“We have to balance off what we want to do [in terms of strengthening the squad] and what we can do financially.

“Matt has an obvious impact in certain games, particularly to change them in the latter stages. And Pearcey has that leadership in certain games. I don’t think either is in a position where they are going to start every game and they know that. But there is still a value within the group for those two players.”