Millwall boss wants two or three more “quality” signings after Leeds defender joins on loan

Millwall manager Gary Rowett reckons that the loan capture of Leeds’ Charlie Cresswell has increased the competition for a starting spot in his defence – and is targeting at least another two or three “quality” signings.

The 19-year-old centre-back has joined for the 2022-23 Championship season.

The Lions had Daniel Ballard on loan from Arsenal in the previous campaign with the Northern Ireland international completing a permanent switch to Sunderland last week.

“The main thing we think he can add is brilliant competition for those positions,” Rowett told the club’s website.

“He’s got so much potential as a player. We’ve seen that playing for Leeds’ first team at the end of last season and England U21s as well. He is very, very highly regarded. He’s a ball-playing centre-half who can go and do all the aggressive things you want a centre-back to do and also step out a little bit with more quality and composure.

“I played with his dad for two years at Leicester. I know he’s come from a really good family with a really good work ethic.

“Charlie will be very determined, like Dan Ballard was, to come and get in the team and stay in the team – to give him a chance to go back and play in the Premier League for Leeds. It’s another exciting signing for us.

“We want to bring two or three more quality additions into the group as quickly as we can. I’m really pleased what we’ve done so far – myself, Alex [Aldridge] and Steve [Kavanagh] have worked incredibly hard to try and make these deals happen.”