Millwall set to complete loan deal for Derby County defender tomorrow

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Millwall are set to make experienced Derby County centre-back Alex Pearce their first signing of the January transfer window.

The Lions are expected to conclude a loan deal for the 30-year-old tomorrow.

Millwall manager Neil Harris had already stated he wanted to add experience and leadership – and Pearce certainly ticks those boxes.

He played just under 250 matches for Reading – 19 of those in the Premier League –  before joining Derby County on a three-year deal in the summer of 2015 when he became a free agent.

Capped seven times by the Republic of Ireland, Oxford-born Pearce has only had one outing for the Rams in the current campaign – as an 89th-minute substitute against the Royals on the opening day. But he has clocked up 267 Championship matches since breaking on to the scene – with 19 goals.