Alex Mitchell, a former Millwall defender, spent six formative years with the London club without breaking into their first-team Championship squad. Born on October 7, 2001, Mitchell joined Millwall’s academy in 2018 after beginning his football journey at New Windsor Kestrels.
Despite showing promise in Millwall’s youth setup, his professional development came primarily through loan spells at other clubs.
Early development and academy recognition
Mitchell arrived at Millwall in 2018 as a teenage prospect with potential. His talent was quickly recognized within the club’s youth system. He was voted Millwall’s Academy Schoolboy of the Year, highlighting his early promise as a central defender.
Before focusing exclusively on football, Mitchell had a diverse sporting background. He participated in rowing while attending The Windsor Boys’ School, demonstrating his athleutic versatility before committing to football as his primary sport.
Loan spells and professional development
Despite his 6’3″ frame and defensive capabilities, Mitchell never established himself in Millwall’s first team. Instead, the club opted to develop him through a series of strategic loan moves. His first professional experiences came at Bromley, where he began gaining senior football experience.
Mitchell later joined Leyton Orient on loan, continuing his development in the lower leagues of English football. These loan spells provided crucial playing time and exposure to professional football that he wasn’t receiving at his parent club.
Success at St Johnstone
Mitchell’s most successful loan spell came at Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone. His performances in Scotland earned him significant recognition when he was named St Johnstone’s Young Player of the Year in May 2023.
This accolade demonstrated Mitchell’s growing capabilities as a defender and suggested he might eventually return to challenge for a place in Millwall’s first team. However, despite this success, the club decided his development path would continue away from The Den.
Final loan and departure from Millwall
In August 2023, Mitchell joined Lincoln City on loan, where he made a substantial impact. He became an integral part of Lincoln’s defensive unit, helping them achieve the second-best defensive record in League One during his time there.
Mitchell scored his first professional goal for Lincoln against Fleetwood Town on October 21, 2023. His consistent performances earned him Lincoln City’s Player of the Month award for October 2023, further highlighting his development away from Millwall.
Permanent move to Charlton Athletic
After six years at Millwall without breaking into their Championship team, Mitchell finally departed the club in June 2024. He joined Millwall’s London rivals Charlton Athletic on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
This permanent move marked the end of Mitchell’s Millwall journey. Despite his potential and success on loan, he became one of many academy graduates who developed at Millwall but ultimately found their professional home elsewhere.