New Millwall signing Maikel Kieftenbeld says his transfer to the Lions on deadline day was easy unlike his failed move to Derby County back in 2017, South London Press report.
The midfielder has reunited with Gary Rowett at Millwall following his move from Birmingham.
The transfer was straightforward and comes three years after he was supposed to reunite with Rowett at Derby after the Rams made a late bid for him in summer 2017.
Kieftenbeld agreed on a move to the Rams. However, the paperwork wasn’t done in time, and the midfielder ended up staying at Championship rivals Birmingham.
Speaking on the situation, Kieftenbeld blames then Blues boss Harry Redknapp.
“It was quite stressful. I remember the end of the transfer window was the same time as the international break. The [Birmingham] manager then was Harry Redknapp. I said: ‘What’s the plan – do you want me to move?’ No, no – you’re definitely staying. I said: ‘Alright, I’ll go back to Holland’. When I landed at Skipple Airport in Amsterdam I had eight missed calls and the club tried to sell me! In the end it was too late. It would’ve been a great move but one month later Redknapp was not there any more and I signed a new three-year deal at Birmingham. Sometimes things happen for a reason, right?”
The Sun reported in 2017 how Kieftenbeld signed the wrong part of the registration form, with Derby failing on their appeal as they looked to secure a £300,000 deal.
But the Dutchman paints a different story, suggesting Redknapp messed him about.
Now 30, Kieftenbeld joins Millwall with the Lions above both Birmingham and Derby in the table.
The Rams’ latest defeat to Rotherham United leaves Wayne Rooney’s side just two points above the Millers and the Championship relegation zone.
Sheffield Wednesday’s good run of form has closed things up at the bottom, while Birmingham’s awful run of form sees the Blues now hovering just one place above the drop zone.
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