Millwall boss believes trio moved in transfer window can work way back up the football pyramid

Millwall manager Gary Rowett reckons that Besart Toppaloj has the attributes to work his way back up the leagues after the young defender’s permanent exit last week.

The 21-year-old defender signed for Bromley in an undisclosed deal.

The Lions have trimmed some of the fringe players in their squad after also allowing Hayden Muller to sign for Dundalk.

“There comes a point where they are paid to play football and that’s what they want to do,” Rowett told the South London Press. “That is their passion, as young boys, to be a professional footballer. There is only so long you can keep them at a club.

“Once players get to 20, 21 then if they are not in the first-team or playing regular football then you have to give them that opportunity to go out and start their careers. Bes is no different. He’s a talented player – you saw that in pre-season. He’s a talented player, lovely on the ball and probably just needs to go out and become more durable – learn what it is to have three points on the line when you’re defending every game.

“He has got the qualities, like Hayden. From a club perspective the key is to let them go and play, let them start their careers somewhere else but also protect ourselves a little bit if they do well. It’s that fine line.

“I believe they will both, along with Tanto [Isaac Olaofe] have really good careers. It wouldn’t surprise me if they got back to this level. But they need games to do that and, at the moment, we can’t offer them that. We have to let someone else take that place.”