Millwall Want to Sign Sunderland Promotion Star on Loan, Alex Neil Knows Him Well

Millwall manager Alex Neil is pushing to bring Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson to The Den on a loan deal, aiming to reunite with the young star he helped promote from League One.[2]

Neil, appointed Millwall head coach on December 30, 2024, knows Patterson well from his time managing Sunderland. He took over the Black Cats on February 11, 2022, and guided them to promotion via a 2-0 play-off final win over Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley in May 2022, ending a four-year absence from the Championship. Patterson emerged as a key figure in that successful campaign, showcasing his potential as a promising talent.[1][2]

With the 2026 January transfer window open until February 2, Millwall are actively seeking reinforcements. After a strong 2024-25 season where they finished eighth and narrowly missed the playoffs, Neil signed a new contract in May 2025. The Lions reshaped their squad last summer by offloading experienced players to lower the average age, and now aim to add depth amid injuries to sustain momentum in the 2025-26 Championship push.[1][3]

Patterson's loan could bolster Millwall's goalkeeping options. Currently, the club has welcomed back George Evans (GK) from a loan at Hartlepool as their only confirmed incoming so far, with no outgoing deals and a net spend of £0m. Other rumours link Millwall to Slawomir Abramowicz from Jagiellonia, but the Patterson move stands out due to Neil's prior connection.[3]

Neil's track record includes stints at Norwich City, Preston North End, and Hamilton Academical, where he won promotions and built reputations for developing talent. His familiarity with Patterson could make this a seamless addition, potentially accelerating Millwall's climb up the table.[1][2]

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