Millwall are to be believed to be near the point of signing former Ipswich Town midfielder Massimo Luongo, after he has been training and playing in pre-season matches for them having left Ipswich Town this summer following the expiration of his contract.

The Lions finished last season in a highly creditable eighth place in the Championship, and having finished in the top ten in three of the last four seasons, there is hope around The Den that the team could go one higher and secure themselves a play-off spot for a chance to play for a place in the Premier League.

But like all clubs at this level who don’t receive parachute payments, money is tight, and the club has to sell profitably in order to grow, and this has led to a policy of buying younger players in order to develop them.

“You can’t have all young players” – Luongo told he could be perfect fit in Millwall’s young squad

Football League World spoke to our Millwall fan pundit, Lucas Ball, who told us that he would be happy for Luongo to sign a contract with the Lions.

“I think Luongo is a really good signing, potentially”, Lucas told us, “I’ve spoken about this before, that we have this new transfer strategy of trying to buy players to sell at a profit, and obviously we can become more sustainable that way.”

Lucas feels that getting the balance is critical, considering the loss of George Honeyman already this summer, and that Luongo could fit the bill as a replacement: “You also need some experience in your squad, you can’t have all young players.

“You need some players who’ve been there, done it and got the t-shirt”, he told us. “So I think losing George Honeyman in midfield, we definitely needed some experience, and although a deal’s not done yet for Luongo it seems he’s been playing quite well in the friendlies that he has taken part in.

“So I’m fairly confident that we will be offering a deal upon returning from Spain.”

Lucas recognises that Millwall’s failure to cross that final hurdle and get into the play-offs could be altered by the presence of a player who’s seen success at Championship level before: “He’s got experience at this level, which is important with our squad.

“The amount of times we’ve come close in the last few years, and for getting over that last hurdle having someone like Luongo important in there.”

But Lucas doesn’t believe that Millwall’s transfer business is done yet, this summer: “I’m sure we’ll get another midfielder, or that Dan Kelly or Alfie Massey will be integrated into the first team.

“Or even Rafiq Lamptey has been playing in central midfield and has done well by all accounts. But I think that having a bit of experience in there, a bit of grit and steel, will be good for us.”

Luongo’s Ipswich exploits is proof of what he can bring to Millwall

Luongo certainly comes with buckets of experience, having began his senior career with Premier League side Spurs back in the 2011/12 season.

The Australia international also has a vast amount of Championship and League One experience on his CV too.

Most notably, he made 43 appearances in the Ipswich team that was promoted to the Premier League in 2024, and made 11 appearances for them in the Premier League last season.

A player of this calibre could be an extremely valuable addition to a club who have repeatedly come close to reaching the Championship play-offs before missing out at the last.

With over 40 international caps and 370 League appearances to his name, Luongo certainly seems to fit that bill as Millwall seek to finally go one better in the Championship next time around.

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