‘Proven quality’ – Millwall boss on landing Sheffield United attacking midfielder Luke Freeman

Gary Rowett has described Luke Freeman as a “proven” Championship player after completing a deadline day swoop for the Sheffield United attacking midfielder.

The 29-year-old was a club record signing for the Blades after they won promotion to the Premier League in July 2019.

Freeman, who is due to be a free agent at the start of July, scored 16 goals and provided 25 assists in 112 matches for QPR.

Luton Town were also working on taking him on loan but could not match the package put together by Millwall.

“He works hard, is creative and has scored double figures in the Championship,” said Lions boss Rowett. “When I think of Luke Freeman, I think goals from outside the box – left foot and right foot. He scores spectacular goals.

“It is about giving him the right type of environment to play his football and rediscover that form. That’s the challenge, for us and Luke.

“You can’t deny he has got proven quality and is a top Championship player.

“Luke was one we looked at in the summer but at that time Sheffield United still had him in their plans.

“At the end of the window we had a call to say he was available.”

Freeman has not played a league match since a 61-minute runout for the Blades in a 2-2 draw against Preston on September 14.

“It’s very difficult for us to sign a top Championship player who is playing regularly – the reality is if they were playing regularly then we wouldn’t be getting them,” said Rowett.

“We have probably now got six players in those forward areas who can either start or come on and try and impact matches. That’s something I’d felt we missed in recent games.

“Luke is pretty similar to Oli [Burke] in that it might take four, five or six matches to get him fully up to speed and show what he can do.”