Millwall boss comments on attacker’s new deal – and backs him to build on first campaign in English football

Millwall attacker Andreas Voglsammer is being backed to build on his first season in English football.

The 31-year-old German, who signed from Union Berlin in August, has triggered an appearance-based contract extension until the summer of 2024.

Lions manager Gary Rowett told the South London Press: “Rather than sign someone on a two-year deal – when it is all new, you’re never sure how they are going to settle and maybe a player is a little older, – it’s a way of almost saying: ‘You can very easily get another year if you have a reasonable season, which we all think you will’.

“Vogey is another one like Z (Zian Flemming), who I’ve watched for a long time. When he first went to Arminia Bielefeld, I remember going over to watch a couple of the games. He’s had a couple of injuries over the years but always been one I’ve liked. I felt that his physicality, power, aggression and quality would be transferable to the Championship.

“I’m really pleased he is here for another season. He’ll be better for it next year. He’ll really impact this year, still, but next year he will know what the division is all about. He’s also been over here without his partner for quite a while. Coming from Germany and being on your own for the best part of six or seven months is not easy. He has settled in really well.”

Voglsammer has made 35 league appearances but dropped to the bench for last weekend’s 0-0 draw at West Brom, with Duncan Watmore starting on the left wing.

“I told Vogey he was very, very unfortunate not to start,” said Rowett. “I think I’m going to end up rotating those wingers a lot in the last seven games, or however many we have got, just because of the nature of the games – we’ve got to try and get that right impact.

“I toyed with Burkey (Oliver Burke) and Duncan. In some of the recent away games both G (George Honeyman) and Vogey have worked so hard for the team that I felt we needed something of a wildcard to get us up the pitch, maybe a dribbler or a bit of pace. G’s set-piece delivery, we needed that as well.

“Burkey looked really bright when he came on. Duncs hasn’t played loads and he looked a bit lacking in game time. It’s hard when you’re coming in, to impact straight away.”