Millwall’s extensive groundwork pays off as they land Tottenham striker Troy Parrott

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Millwall have won the race for Tottenham striker Troy Parrott – but that isn’t the end of their hunt for more quality attackers.

The Lions have been working on a loan deal for the 18-year-old Irishman since February. The finer details of the switch were due to be wrapped up in Dublin yesterday afternoon.

Parrott will follow in the footsteps of Spurs legend Harry Kane, who scored nine goals in a four-month loan to the South London club at the end of the 2011-12 season.

Parrott is the same age as the England international when he had a successful stint at The Den.

The Lions were helped by a glowing endorsement from Jayson Molumby. The Brighton midfielder, who has played with Parrott at youth level for the Republic of Ireland, has just spent the season on loan with Gary Rowett’s side.

Parrott signed for Tottenham in 2017 for an undisclosed fee after impressing as a youngster at Dublin-based club Belvedere. He was top scorer in the U19 UEFA Youth League in 2019-20.

Parrott is comfortable playing anywhere across the attacking third.

Rowett has made it clear that he wants to add more goals to his Millwall squad as they look to build on just missing out on the Championship play-offs.

The Lions had a bid accepted for Wigan Athletic striker Keiffer Moore. But Cardiff City look in pole position to land the 27-year-old.

Bluebirds boss Neil Harris is a long-term admirer and Moore will know that leading the line for them will boost his chances of nailing down the main striking role for Wales at next summer’s European Championships.

QPR were the first club to have an offer accepted for the Torquay-born frontman, who is available at a knockdown price after the Latics went into administration.

It remains to be seen if Millwall will pursue a permanent deal for Mason Bennett, who spent the second half of the campaign in SE16.

Derby extended the 24-year-old’s contract until the summer of 2021. The Lions did have a fee agreed for a transfer but Bennett was unable to have an injury-free spell in South London.

Millwall’s first bit of business in the window saw them strike a new loan deal for Ryan Woods.

The Stoke City midfielder joined the Lions on a temporary basis in January.

Millwall’s plan was always to bring Woods back again for next season.

“As soon as we got Woodsey the aim was always can we keep him longer?,” said Rowett.

“Although it was never going to be easy the club did brilliantly in terms of securing him again.

“I said it when I signed him at Stoke and also when I’ve signed him now – I think he is a good as anyone in the division in that holding midfield position.

“He breaks the game up really well and is happy to receive the ball anywhere on the pitch with his array of passing.

“I think we’ll see more from him. The more confident he gets, the more games he plays – you’ll see him dictate the pace and tempo of games, like he has done already in some of them.

“He is a top player. One thing I’ve spoken to him about is making more killer passes – he is good enough to switch play and create chances for others.”