The heartbreak of Crystal Palace release was softened by swift move to Millwall for young defender

Besart Toppaloj has spoken about how Millwall helped instantly soften the blow  of being released by Crystal Palace as a kid.

The 21-year-old defender has been on the Lions’ books since U16 level.

Toppaloj, who joined National League side Dagenham & Redbridge on a month’s loan last week, had spent five years with their South London rivals.

“I got told by Palace that I wouldn’t get a scholarship on the Thursday and I went to Millwall the following Monday,” Toppaloj, whose family home is still in Crystal Palace, told the South London Press.

“When you get told you’re not going to get a scholarship it is heart-breaking, I never really got given a reason why. But Millwall called me the day afterwards, so I didn’t have time to think about it.

“I had about two weeks max on trial, we played Bromley and Cardiff, and then I got signed after that.

“I was a left-back at Palace but as I’ve grown taller, I’m six-feet two inches or six-feet three inches, I’ve transitioned to centre-back.”

Toppaloj qualifies to play for Kosovo through his parents.

He was asked to attend a training camp in 2020 when he was a first-year pro but made the difficult call not to attend.

Millwall’s U23 side went on to win their divisional title with the outcome decided via the points-per-game method.

“I got the call just before Covid and our team were top of the table,” said Toppaloj. “I spoke to Kevin Nugent [manager] and said I’d rather stay in England and try to win the league, rather than go to Kosovo just for a training camp. I didn’t want to end up coming back and then not getting in the squad here.”

Toppaloj featured for Millwall in pre-season and earned praise from boss Gary Rowett for his display in the friendly win over Dartford.

He also featured in the behind-closed-doors fixture against the Eagles.

“There was some talk about me going out on loan in pre-season but I was just focused on staying at Millwall – I didn’t think it was the right time,” said Toppaloj, who can also play at wing-back. “I wanted to show the manager what I could do, for him to get a better view of me.”

The youngster’s Daggers debut ended in a 5-4 victory over Barnet. Next up tomorrow is a trip to Dorking Wanderers.

Toppaloj could play five more times before his stay is over.

“It was bitter-sweet because as a defender you don’t want to be conceding four goals,” said Toppaloj, who was the left-sided of three centre-backs. “The best thing about defending is clean sheets – but the main thing about men’s football is getting three points.

“The loan could be extended. I wanted to go and play men’s football and see how it is.  It’s a lot different. You are coming up against players who have played in League Two and League One – they know how to do certain stuff better than U23 players because they’ve got that experience.”

Toppaloj is due to be out of contract next summer.
“I’m in my option year – I’m happy at Millwall,” he said. “I’ve played football my whole life, my ambition is to be one of the best in the world and play at the highest level I can.

“My passing is a big strength and my one-v-one defending.”

So how about weaknesses to be improved on?

“I wouldn’t say it is a weakness but I want to get a bit bigger to help with the physicality,” he said.