Millwall seal return for striker Zak Lovelace as he becomes seventh signing of winter window

Zak Lovelace is back at Millwall after completing a transfer from Rangers.

The 19-year-old was handed his senior debut by the Lions aged just 15 years and 340 days against Coventry City at the end of 2021.

Lovelace turned down a professional contract with Millwall to make the move to Rangers in July 2022.

The teenager has made six appearances in all competitions at first-team level for the Glaswegian outfit, his two starts coming in cup competitions.

Lovelace missed the start of the season due to a hamstring injury. He made the matchday squad for four of Rangers’ Scottish Premiership matches this season – his final outing coming as an 85th-minute substitute in a 3-1 win at Dundee United at the end of January.

Millwall had described Lovelace’s contract as “long term” and he joins for an undisclosed fee. Media in Scotland have said the transfer could be worth in excess of £1million.

Millwall director of football Steve Gallen told the club’s website: “I’m very pleased to be bringing Zak Lovelace back to the football club.

“Zak had been really keen to come back as well, so discussions have been going on for the past few weeks about it. I want to thank Glasgow Rangers for their help with this deal.

“Our supporters will be aware of Zak from his time here before. It feels like he is well into his career already, having made his Millwall debut in 2021, but we have to remember he is only 19-years-old – patience is required as he adapts to the demands of this league.

“Training and being around the first-team, under the guidance of Alex Neil, will be of huge benefit to him. He is a great athlete – big, strong, quick, dynamic, takes people on and gets crosses into the box and has shots on goal.

“It’s another very good and young signing for us.”

PICTURE: ALAMY