22 Facts About Matija Sarkic

Matija Sarkic was a professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Matija Sarkic came through the academy sides of Anderlecht and Aston Villa.

Matija Sarkic signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, and spent time on loan at Shrewsbury Town and Birmingham City, where he was voted Player of the Season, and Stoke City.

Matija Sarkic's father, Bojan Sarkic, is a Montenegrin diplomat who, as of October 2017, was the country's ambassador to the European Union.

Matija Sarkic previously served as ambassador to the United Kingdom and to Belgium.

Matija Sarkic had a twin brother, Oliver, with whom he played during his spell at Anderlecht.

Matija Sarkic left the youth academy of Belgian club Anderlecht, signing a three-year contract with English club Aston Villa on 1 September 2015, joining their under-21 side.

Matija Sarkic joined Wigan Athletic on 31 August 2017 on a season-long loan, going on to make 3 appearances, all in cup competitions, and saving a penalty on his debut against Middlesbrough U21 in the EFL Trophy.

On 26 June 2019, Matija Sarkic signed for Scottish Premiership club Livingston on what was intended to be a season-long loan, but he was recalled by Aston Villa on 3 January 2020, as their first-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton had suffered a knee injury.

Matija Sarkic was offered a contract extension at Aston Villa in 2020 but turned down the offer to look for first-team opportunities elsewhere, having seen experienced goalkeeper Pepe Reina brought in as cover for the injured Heaton.

Matija Sarkic signed for Villa's Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers on 27 July 2020 on a three-year contract.

On 2 September 2020, Matija Sarkic joined League One club Shrewsbury Town on a season-long loan.

Matija Sarkic kept 11 clean sheets in 29 games across all competitions for the Shrews before returning to Wolves on 6 May 2021; he had competed for a starting position against Harry Burgoyne during his loan.

Matija Sarkic joined Championship club Birmingham City on 26 July 2021 on loan for the season.

Matija Sarkic retained his place in the starting eleven even after Etheridge's return to fitness, kept ten clean sheets, and missed only one of Birmingham's 24 league matches.

Matija Sarkic took over from Jack Bonham as first-choice keeper until he suffered injury against Sunderland on 4 March 2023.

Matija Sarkic returned from his injury on the final day of the season at Watford.

Matija Sarkic joined Millwall on 3 August 2023 for an undisclosed fee.

Matija Sarkic represented Montenegro U17 at the 2013 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.

Matija Sarkic won the bronze medal at the 2017 Valeri Lobanovsky Memorial Tournament.

Matija Sarkic's family was told that he suffered sudden heart failure.

Matija Sarkic was pronounced dead at the age of 26.