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Jake Cooper remembers his Millwall teammate Matija Sarkic in emotional tribute

Jake Cooper remembers his Millwall teammate Matija Sarkic in an emotional tribute paid just days after news emerged of his death.

Jake Cooper expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to have shared a dressing room with Matija Sarkic, who tragically passed away at the young age of 26.

The Montenegro Football Association (FSCG) announced the sudden death of Sarkic on Saturday morning, leaving the football world shocked.

Sarkic, who had been on international duty for Montenegro, had joined the Championship club from Wolves in August 2023 and had an impressive debut season with 33 appearances for the Lions.

The duo played 32 times together last season.

Interviewer Mark Litchfield: “Coops, it’s been a terribly sad few days for everyone associated with the club following the the terribly sudden passing of a loved teammate, friend, brother, partner Matija.”

Jake Cooper: “Just want to start by saying how, sorry, feel for his family, you know, for his partner Phoebe. You know, how, you could see how united they were as a family, you know, you could see the love and stability that Phoebe gave for Matija. And, yeah, it’s terribly tragic. And you just know, a heart always left in their lives now, that, you know, it’s just heartbreaking to even think about for them.”

Interviewer: “I can tell clearly and for obvious reasons, just how hard this is for you. And we appreciate your time at such a difficult moment to speak about a much loved teammate. Let’s firstly talk about Matija as a person. I mean, someone who always had a beaming smile on his face. Someone who always just seems so positive at the most difficult of moments. And that must have been such a treasured trait within the dressing room.”

Jake Cooper: “Yeah, I think he came in. He made an impression on us straight away, you know, he fitted right into the dress room. And he felt like he was one of us, like straight from the beginning. You know, he was only here for a year, but it just felt like he was, he fitted right in. I think we had a difficult season, you know, probably on the pitch. And, you know, at the beginning of last season. And he’s had to stand up and show his strength for character at a lot of moments when we needed him. And he did that. And he was flourishing towards the end of last season. And it was. It was great to see him performing. Well, and he’s been a great asset to the football club and certainly to us boys in that dressing room. It’s just been a privilege to share it with him.”

Interviewer: “He really grew throughout the season, didn’t he? I mean, we saw you both share a real special moment now that we look back on that moment, the penalty save away at Swansea. Even in a game which towards the end of the season it didn’t mean too much. In the grand scheme of things, it meant a lot to him. It meant a lot to you guys, you could just tell what a key member of the squad he was.”

Jake Cooper: “Yeah, i think that’s probably going to be now. My last memory of him is sharing that moment that Swansea he saved the penalty that I kind of inflicted on the team. And you know, he was. He was the hero in that moment. And it’s a special moment to remember him by. I think we were all in the dressing room after how much love he was getting there after the game. And, you know, he was, like I said, just a pleasure to be around. And, you know, I’m proud that i got the chance to work with him for a part of his short time in this world,

Interviewer: “The utmost professional as well, wasn’t he always the first one at the training ground.”

Jake Cooper: “Yeah, we spent loads of time in the gym together, you know, and on the training pitch, he spent loads of time trying to improve himself. I think he felt like he could get to the top level and be as good as he could. And, you know, he worked really hard and had a great attitude about himself. And, you know, he was just a great asset to us lot. And he was a, you know, a charming, charismatic, young man that just had so much more to offer everyone. And, you know, it’s just sad that were now sat here talking about him in the way that we are. And it’s unfortunate that we’re not turn them into his face.”

Interviewer: “Its so important in such difficult circumstances that we celebrate the life of Sarkic. And all the happy memories that we’ve got of him albeit. It was only a year we had him at the club. But in that year, there are so many moments that we look back on and look back on that with a smile on our face.

Jake Cooper: “Yeah, for sure. I think, you know, we’re gonna need the fans now more than ever. I think it’s been amazing to see some of the support they’ve shown outside here at The Den. And, you know, online, you see plenty of support that they’ve given and that’s been amazing. And I just hope we can, kind of all, come together now and remember Matija’s life in the way that he deserves.”

Interviewer: “We know how the fans are. We know, as a club, when we’re in difficult circumstances, we really come together and as you say, so many touching tributes left here at the den in the book of condolence. And online as well when you mentioned about the family and his partner Phoebe earlier, that will mean the absolute world to them. And we’re all there for them.”

Jake Cooper: “Yeah, for sure. You know, we’ll do whatever it takes to kind of help them in any way that they need. And, you know, we just hope that we can give him that. Right, send off. And, you know, the gap that he’s left will never be filled. And we’ll always remember the time and the moments he’s given us here at this football class.”

Interviewer: “And as a squad, you look at Matija and away from football, just like we mentioned earlier, the person of Sarkic. That is something that we all look back on and look at Matija and think what a person just in general so kind hearted.”

Jake Cooper: “Yeah, lovely, lovely person. You know, I’ve had many messages over the last few days from not just the players, but the staff at the football club. You know, he was so kind, and you know, to everyone. And everyone’s felt it at the club because, you know, he really left that impact in the year that he was here. And it’s just… Yeah, it’s sad. We’re talking about him in this way and we have to just make sure we remember him and the good times that he brought to us. And yeah…”

Interviewer: “I know it’s difficult. And as a collective, we all send our love and condolences to the to Matija family, his partner Phoebe, at such a difficult time, because what they’re going through and what we’re all going through is extremely tough. But the impact that Matija had on so many lives has been clear to see in recent days. Hasn’t it with the tributes that have come in from the wider football community as well?”

Jake Cooper: “Yeah, for sure, I think, you know, had a huge impact over in Montenegro as well. And you know, he played a massive part in his football world. But also off the pitch, he was just a lovely guy. And you know, he’s moved around from Birmingham and Wolves and Stoke and places. And you see messages from all people that have played with him at them clubs and how special he was as a person. And. Yeah, and just for the family and for Phoebe, we just hope we can send them some strength and know that we’re thinking about them in this really difficult time.”

Interviewer: “We really appreciate your time. Coops, I know it’s a really difficult time for everyone associated with the club. But no more so than you guys in the team, who sat by him, sat next to him and were with him throughout last season. So, thank you for sharing your thoughts. It will mean the world to Matija’s family.”

Millwall manager Neil Harris holds back tears as he speaks on Matija Sarkic’s death

Twitter users paid respect and reacted as Jake Cooper remembers his Millwall teammate Matija Sarkic in the emotional tribute…

@MillwallTT: Massive respect to Jake for doing that. Have to admit it had me in tears. The club is heartbroken. Just so unfair on his family and his partner.

@stugots80: Legend Coops, hard to get the head round it. RIP Sarkic

@Paul20681877: Top man Coops that must have been hard for you. There is nothing like the Millwall family. RIP Mati

@BrandonBWFC2022: Fair play to Jake Cooper for having the balls to do this. If this guy is captain then he’s a true leader and warrior. Well done 👏

@dacetheace: Well done cooper obviously struggling to come to terms with the sarkic loss. Held yourself well considering what’s happened. Another massive hole within the team first berylson and now sarkic. We’re all gutted but behind the boys another big send off needed first game back.

@PaulDonovan_MFC: That was a tear jerker. Well done Coops held it together well. Take time and look after the rest of the lads 💙 🦁

@FadedMFC: The effect Mati had on everyone is clear to see. Beautiful tribute Jake, it’s obvious how difficult that was to do. RIP Mati.

@Llawllim41: Takes strength, leadership, bollocks and the heart of a lion to do that interview. Well done Jake.

@BradHicks20: Poor lad, must’ve hit him hard

@davidharrywebb: What a man. Thanks for representing our club in such a brave respectful manner Jake. We’re all with you 🦁💙 sending love to the whole squad and staff at the club as well as Mati’s family 💔

@thelionz17: Well done Jake, we are all with you and the rest of the lads. Devastating time

@Mick74682285: Well done Coops that was tough, we always pull together in such difficult times. Leader on and off the pitch.

@millwallthomas: Fair play coops speaking for everyone from top to bottom and every single one of us feels exactly the same once a lion always a lion

@JaseMfc: Keep strong Coops – Matty would be absolutely proud of you doing that tribute. Tough times but you and the team have our full support ❤️🙏

@grs_67: These videos are heartbreaking to watch the grief is clear to see on Jake’s face 😢

@austriavillafan: Heartwarming and sad at the same time…

@m112oto: You absolute diamond coops, proper Millwall family 💔 RIP Matty so gutted for you and your beautiful family xx

@Bono1988: 😢 Jesus!! JB passing last year was obviously a big loss. But this is likely to affect the players far more, one of them who they saw everyday. Fair play to Coops, as clearly wasn’t easy to do.

@RobM661: Well done jake . That must have been so difficult.

@JTURNER_042: Fair play Coops, We are all with you in these times and such a nice touch to pay tribute.

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