‘I’m chuffed’ – Millwall midfielder George Saville on triggering contract extension until summer 2025

George Saville has described himself as “chuffed” at triggering a contract extension at Millwall.

Our paper exclusively revealed last week that the midfielder, 30, and Ryan Leonard, 31, had earned deals until the summer of 2025.

Saville needed to make 23 Championship starts this season to activate a clause in his contract.

The Northern Ireland international has clocked up 37 league games in the campaign, playing the full 90 minutes in all but one of the 10 fixtures since Neil Harris returned to The Den as head coach.

“I’m chuffed, buzzing,” said Saville, reflecting on his contract situation. “We all know my relationship with the club. Me and my family came back down three years ago now and we want to stay here for as long as possible.

“I say it every time, I’m just doing my best for the football club. The manager has come in and there is trust there and a relationship there. With the gaffer the football club is in his best interests as well.

“We’re all pulling in the same direction.”

It is the first time Saville, who rejoined the Lions from Middlesbrough in July 2021, has been in the position of a performance-related extension.

“It does come in your mind because it is not black and white – whether you have got a contract or you haven’t,” said the former Chelsea youngster, who has scored 17 goals in 189 matches for Millwall.

“It’s no secret we’ve had a difficult year, on and off the field. It has been very up and down. It’s probably not been a great one but we are slowly heading in the right direction and hopefully we can put it all to bed.”

Harris told our paper this week that Saville and Leonard had driven standards since he returned in February. The Lions legend worked with the duo in his previous successful spell as boss.

“In situations like this it is normally your senior lads you need to step up,” said Saville. “There is pressure, but we work well together. The turnaround has been unbelievable since he came in.

“The last two performances have been great as well – beating Cardiff, I’m not sure the last time we scored three goals in a game.

“We had more chances as well and players have been stepping up as well. We had the two away games (losing to Rotherham and Huddersfield) but we responded really well.”

The bookies have Millwall at 100/1 for relegation ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Sunderland.

“Mathematically it isn’t done – we’re in a better position than we were eight days ago,” said Saville. “It will be good going out on Saturday knowing if we win that we are done.”