Millwall boss ‘delighted’ to sign ‘rare’ talent Josh Coburn – and discusses role in bringing striker back to the club.

ALEX Neil is “delighted” to have signed “rare” talent Josh Coburn permanently and has spoken about his involvement in bringing the striker back to the club.

The 22-year-old joined Millwall on loan from Middlesbrough last summer and has made 22 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals. Coburn worked effectively with striker Mihailo Ivanovic towards the end of last season, as the Lions won five of the seven games in which the duo started up front.

Neil made no secret of the club’s intention to keep the big man at The Den permanently, and Millwall revealed last Thursday, June 26, that they had smashed their transfer record by signing Coburn, who signed a four-year contract.

Neil was pleased to get the deal done so early.

“To get him back this early is probably abnormal,” Neil told NewsAtDen. “Every manager wants to have everyone back before the preseason begins. “We’ve seen Joshua in close quarters.

He returned from injury after being out for several months. We can see his potential and how he and Mihailo, in particular, have formed a strong relationship at the top of the pitch.

“To get a British player, 22, six-foot-five, can score goals, can run, can take the ball in, can do all those sorts of bits in the game, they’re rare. There’s not many of them about, so we’re delighted that we could get Josh back and more importantly, get him back in the time frame we have to allow us to get pre-season together.”

When asked what role he had in bringing Josh back to the club, Neil said: “I think it’s a collective effort. I don’t deal with the money, I don’t deal with the agents, so that’s not anything that I’ll get involved in. I was just speaking to Josh and making him aware that we’re trying to get the deal done.

“The players are the same. They’re not really getting involved in that sort of thing either. Josh and I talked about football, where we see ourselves heading, what we’re trying to achieve, how we’re trying to do it, and, of course, why we wanted him to be a part of it. “Then there was [Millwall director of football] Steve [Gallen] and certainly [Millwall Chairman] Jimmy [Berylson] supporting us by clearly putting up the money to get the deal done.

They did the hard part, if you will.

“My relationship with Josh was terrific when he was here. It’s fantastic that he’s returned as well.

We hope to help him improve his game while also providing a terrific platform for both of us to succeed. Millwall have already completed nine permanent signings since Neil was appointed head coach on December 30, 2024, and have smashed their transfer record twice in the last six months, including the January purchase of Camiel Neghli.

Neil feels fully supported by the club.

“I don’t think the support has ever been in question since I came here,” Neil told me. “The truth is, it’s not just me who says we want Josh back; it’s a group decision. “The support has been there through Steve and Jimmy.

I’d like to believe the support will continue, and we’ll do everything we can. “But, ultimately, my job is to make sure that when we say okay, we feel like we’ve got a strong enough squad, so let’s go and try to perform as well as we can, and I’ve got to go and use it as much as I can.

“We’re doing much more than what you see.

“A lot of money is being spent on renovating the training ground. We have a new building for the players. We have modern amenities for the players, including hot and cold plunge pools, cryotherapy, and so on. The pitches have improved. “So, there are loads and lots.

I believe the stadium has recently had a complete renovation, including the hospitality boxes and other amenities. So Jimmy and his family have been nothing but supportive since I’ve been here.”

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