The lowdown on Millwall loan signing Jamie Shackleton – another really impressive Leeds prospect heads to SE16

Jamie Shackleton is Millwall’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window.

The 22-year-old has joined from Leeds United on a season-long loan and follows in the footsteps of Charlie Cresswell, who signed from the Elland Road outfit last month.

Here is the lowdown on the player:

WHAT DO WE KNOW?

Shackleton played for Kippax Athletic Football Club in Castleford as a youngster before joining Leeds in 2006 at the age of seven.

The midfielder has made 68 appearances and scored two goals for Leeds since making his debut in their 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup on August 14 2018.

He was part of the 2020-21 team that were promoted to the Premier League as Championship title-winners following their 4-0 victory at home against Charlton Athletic on the final day of the campaign.

Shackleton has also made three appearances for England’s U20 team, making his debut in June 2019.

WHAT WILL HE GIVE THE LIONS?

Shackleton has shown in the past few campaigns that he is flexible.

The new Millwall loanee played a fair few games for Jesse Marsch’s side at right-back last year during Luke Ayling’s spell on the sidelines. That could come in handy if Danny McNamara gets injured or experiences a drop in form.

LEEDS FANS ARE DISAPPOINTED 

It’s always a good sign when the fans of the team that the player has been at are disappointed with their exit – even if the departure is only on a temporary basis.

It shows that Millwall, just like with the addition of Cresswell, have signed a really impressive young prospect.

Shackleton made 14 appearances for Leeds last season in the Premier League. Plenty of Leeds fans would have liked to see him stay and fight for a place in their side.

REACTION TO THE DEAL

Gary Rowett: “Jamie is one we’ve been aware of for a couple of weeks. He’s a great addition for us. He has bags of energy and good experience for a 22-year-old. He’s played well over 50 games for Leeds and now he’ll be looking for more regular game time – a lot of those have come through impacting the game late on. He’s got great energy. The beauty for me is that he is a player who offers you energetic, non-stop play in the middle of the pitch.

“That’s his best position, in my opinion, in one of those three midfield positions – either the two deeper ones or the number 10. However, he’s also played at right-back and right-wing-back in the Premier League, so he offers flexibility.”

Jamie Shackleton: “I spoke to him [Millwall boss Gary Rowett] a couple of times before we realised it was the right decision for everyone, you get a good feeling. I like to get stuck in, get around and cover as much of the pitch as I can. I played in the Championship with Leeds and had a good season, we managed to get promoted – that should be the aim, to do that at Millwall.”