‘He will make things happen’ – Millwall boss on Arsenal loan signing Norton-Cuffy

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Millwall manager Gary Rowett is expecting new loan recruit Brooke Norton-Cuffy to add extra zip after landing the highly-rated Arsenal defender.

The 19-year-old South Londoner, born in Pimlico, played in the Championship last season, making 41 appearances in total.

Norton-Cuffy started the last campaign on loan at Rotherham United before joining Coventry in the middle of January.

The England U20 international did not miss a league match for the Sky Blues and started their Championship play-off final defeat to Luton Town in May.

“He’s had some good loans,” Rowett told the South London Press.

“Coventry ended up competing for the last place, to get out of the division, so he’s had that experience.

“We know about a lot of his qualities. He has got great athleticism. He can get up and down the right-hand side, whether that is right-back, right wing-back or right midfield.

“He gives us some good options and competition down that side.

“He is a player who is improving.

“He has the energy to get up the pitch and energy to make things happen.

“He has got a little bit of that kind of winger aspect – where he will dribble at people and make things happen – without being an out-and-out winger.

“We want competition for places and to keep improving that all the time.

“A young player from a Premier League club, who is experienced in the Championship and done well, is a really, really good signing for us.”

Millwall previously loaned Dan Ballard from the Gunners. His performances while in SE16 led to a £2million transfer to Sunderland in June 2022.

“It always helps, when that club almost know what they are going to get from the loan, it’s important for them,” said Rowett.

“I think there were some good options for Brooke, I’m sure he’d tell you in a bit more detail. I don’t think some of those quite materialised.

“Like any situation you want to get a young player out and playing. There was that opportunity at Millwall. It was a good bit of timing.

“Brooke can now kick on again in the Championship and just keep improving further – get himself closer to that Premier League level.”