Zak Lovelace has snubbed a contract offer from Rangers to return to Millwall in a move which has split the Ibrox support.
The 19-year-old forward moved to Ibrox from the Den as a 16-year-old and has spent the last two-and-a-half years being trained at Auchenhowie.
With Lovelace’s contract expiring at the end of the season, Rangers had offered the striker a new deal but Zak wanted to return down south for family reasons.
Rangers have recouped an undisclosed fee for Zak Lovelace and wished the forward well through the club’s academy account.
Now, the Millwall director of football has revealed that discussions over a transfer have been ongoing for weeks, meaning Lovelace has been playing in Glasgow whilst negotiating his exit.
Millwall in Zak Lovelace talks for ‘past few weeks’
Steve Gallen has been speaking about the signing of Zak Lovelace and has thanked Rangers for their co-operation in making a deal happen.
But the Millwall sporting director has also claimed that discussions with Lovelace have been taking place for the last few weeks.
Philippe Clement had previously insisted Lovelace was a part of his first-team plans and had played the youngster in recent matches with Dundee United and Union Saint-Gilloise.
If Lovelace wasn’t going to commit to Rangers and was in discussions with Millwall, then it raises questions about Rangers developing the young striker in recent matches.
“I’m very pleased to be bringing Zak Lovelace back to the football club,” Steve Gallen told the Millwall website.
“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.”
Millwall fans urged to be ‘patient’ with Zak Lovelace
Whilst family reasons have been cited in Zak Lovelace returning to Millwall, Rangers will be a tad disappointed.
This is a bright, young England-based talent of which big things are expected in the game leaving Ibrox despite being given chances at Rangers.
Injuries have had a big impact on Lovelace’s lack of first team exposure – the striker made eight appearances for the Gers in total – but there was a clear pathway for the kid at Ibrox.
Still just a teenager, Gallen has urged the Millwall support to go easy on Lovelace as Rangers lament another one who got away.
“Our supporters will be aware of Zak from his time here before,” Gallen said.
“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.”
