Millwall let signing option expire on Derby County striker

Millwall’s option to sign Mason Bennett for £500,000 has expired – with the attacker’s stop-start spell at The Den not making the pre-agreed fee a goer.

The 24-year-old signed on loan for the Lions in the January transfer window.

And the two Championship sides agreed a fee for Bennett to become a permanent addition to Gary Rowett’s playing ranks.

But injuries saw the former England U19 international feature in only nine of Millwall’s 17 Championship matches in that period.

He impressed as he scored against Blackburn Rovers and Swansea City but a hamstring problem picked up at QPR in the penultimate fixture ended his season.

The 2020-21 campaign starts on September 12 and once again the fixture schedule is likely to be a challenging one.

Millwall are still in the market to add to their attacking players despite the coup of landing Tottenham frontman Troy Parrott recently on a season-long loan.

Bennett still has 12 months to run on his Pride Park contract.

Rowett, speaking to the South London Press towards the end of July, said: “We know for Mase to have that run of games and stay fit is absolutely crucial, because when he stayed fit and played he’s shown what a difference he has made on the left-hand side.

“To have that pace and power, to have that goal threat, is something that we certainly need for next season.”

PICTURE BY KEITH GILLARD