Millwall new signing Macaulay Langstaff is the most natural goalscorer in the English Football League over the last five years, according to head coach Neil Harris.
The 27-year-old striker completed his move to the Den from Notts County on Monday.
Langstaff has topped the league goalscoring charts in each of the past three seasons with Notts and Gateshead and is the National League’s top goalscorer for the 2022-23 season.
Harris is the Lions’ all-time leading goalscorer and believes Langstaff has the qualities to win promotion to League Two and succeed in the Championship.
“He’s such a natural, more natural than any player in the Football League in the last five years in my opinion,” he told BBC Radio London.
“To be Millwall’s No. 9, first and foremost, you have to have big character, good personality and a real work ethic – you’ve got to tick all those boxes.”
Langstaff has made 135 league appearances over the past three seasons, scoring 99 goals.
“Bradshaw has a big role to play.”
His 42 goals helped Notts to the brink of automatic promotion in a thrilling battle with Wrexham two seasons ago and they finished second in the National League behind the Welsh club on 107 points.
He scored 29 goals in his first EFL season as Notts finished 14th in the table, beating Chesterfield on penalties in the promotion final to return to League Two.
Meanwhile, Harris confirmed that Wales striker Tom Bradshaw will remain at the club despite Langstaff’s arrival.
“Brudders is a huge asset to this football club, he’s a veteran in the forward line and has a big role to play with us,” he said.
“He’s a great person, has great leadership skills and is infectious.”
“He’s older, so he’s not as fast as he used to be, but he’s got great energy and drive.”
“People see us as robots, but we are human beings.”
Millwall kick off their new Championship season at home to Watford on Saturday 10 August and Harris said he hopes to have up to seven players in the squad by then, with the hope of signing “one or two over the next few days”.
The club is still recovering from the shock death of goalkeeper Matija Sarkic last month.
Local media said the 26-year-old man collapsed in his apartment in his hometown of Budva, Montenegro.
Harris said he was proud of the way everyone at Millwall responded.
“I admire the way the players have responded after losing their teammate and friend Matija,” he said.
“I can’t say enough good things about the football club, the players and the staff. As people and as professionals, we have just kept moving forward.”
“People may see us as robots at work, but we are human beings and anyone who has experienced the loss of a friend or family member knows that it doesn’t always happen immediately, sometimes it can take a little time.”
“It’s still a difficult time for everyone but the players are focused on the challenges ahead.”
