Millwall boss Gary Rowett gives his verdict as George Evans makes permanent move from Derby County

Millwall have made Derby County’s George Evans their second signing of the January transfer window.

The Lions agreed a fee for the 26-year-old over the weekend.

Evans can play at centre-half and in a defensive midfield role. His arrival means that Ryan Leonard, who has acquitted himself well on the right of a back three, can be pushed back into his normal position in the middle of the park.

“He’s a player I’ve monitored for a few years,” said Millwall manager Gary Rowett. “He has got a very good pedigree, coming through the youth levels at Manchester City and then I saw him at Reading.

“There are not many who have that ability – unless we’re talking about Ryan – and tactical knowledge to play in a back three and step into midfield.

“George is a good size, has got athleticism and a good technical range of passing. When I see a player like that I think they can fit into a Millwall ethos – drive, a little bit of aggression and that technical aspect.

“I want to add options in that back three, flexible options, to have the players to play different formations for different games.

“It’s nice to have the option of pushing Lenny up to a number eight position at times and use those legs there. George will give us that.

“He has had a couple of years at Derby where the opportunities he has had have not quite fulfilled what he is capable of – for no reason other than Derby have got a lot of good players.

“He is the right age, at 26. He is coming into the prime years of his career. He has found a good home and is coming into a very good and settled group. We’ve got a lot of loan players and some will end up going back at the end of the season. George is not just a signing for now but for next season as well.

“I’m really pleased to get him on board. He is a really good addition to the group.

“We can build play through Woodsy [Ryan Woods] but George has also got a good range of passing over long distances. We are trying to make ourselves a team that is not too predictable.

“I’ve seen him play in a back three at Derby, almost a quarter-back role for Reading and in a midfield two at Derby. Earlier in his career he played as an eight and scored goals.”