Narrowly missing out on a Championship play-off place last time out, naturally expectation and ambition levels are likely to rise at Millwall when the new campaign gets underway at the end of July. 

Improving throughout the duration of the season, Gary Rowett's side certainly inflicted pressure on the top-six positions, with the Lions being denied a play-off spot on the last day of the Championship season.

Not necessarily possessing the spending power of their Championship rivals, Millwall tend to recruit intelligently and use the transfer market to great effect when assembling squads that are able to compete.

However, like any club, some signings just do not work out, and whilst preventative measures can be taken to try and avoid this, the odds are that at least some arrivals will not settle and thrive.

Here, we take a look at eight of Millwall's most underwhelming signings in recent times and see where they are now...

Luke Freeman arrived in January, with the Lions seemingly beating a Championship rival in Luton Town to his temporary signature.

The Blades attacking midfielder, who has since learnt that his future will be away from Bramall Lane, was confined to just 13 minutes of action in Millwall colours before injury struck in early February.

Unable to return to fitness before the 2021/22 campaign came to a close, it remains to be seen how he is progressing, with it also unknown what the next step might be.

Sheyi Ojo arrived at The Den at the start of the last campaign, coming with somewhat of a good reputation after impressing with Cardiff City in the Championship the year before.

However, the Liverpool winger was restricted to just 18 appearances for the Lions last season, being unable to find the back of the net, whilst providing two assists.

Departing Anfield upon the expiry of his deal with the English giants, it remains to be seen what the next step is for the 25-year-old.

Tom Elliott arrived at The Den in the summer of 2017, following the expiry of his contract at AFC Wimbledon, with the move across London representing his first opportunity back in the Championship since the first season of his career.

Showing glimpses of promise, Elliott struggled for consistency with the London club, netting 10 goals in a total of 67 appearances across two years at The Den.

And whilst it was not particularly a bad spell, it just points out how good recruitment tends to be at The Den.

David Worrall is another who thrived at other clubs but found things difficult at Millwall, arriving in the summer of 2016 on a two-year deal, with the option of another season.

Unable to impress consistently, and dropping down the pecking order, Worrall saw his contract terminated by the Championship outfit at the end of his first year with the Lions.

Immediately joining Port Vale after departing Millwall, Worrall is now preparing for his sixth season at Vale Park, playing an integral role as the Valiants secured promotion to League One via the play-offs last month.

Tottenham Hotspur loaned Troy Parrott to the Lions ahead of the 2020/21 campaign, however, the exciting forward was unable to adapt to the Championship at that point in his career.

The young striker appeared 11 times during the first half of the campaign, before a second move to Ipswich Town was sanctioned.

Still highly rated by the Spurs hierarchy, Championship interest has now resurfaced for the 20-year-old, following an excellent loan spell with MK Dons last season.

Joining from Reading for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2019, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson was predominantly deployed from the bench during his two-and-a-half-year spell with the Lions.

Managing just seven goals in 76 appearances for the Lions, the Icelandic forward is another who showed real signs of positivity in glimpses but not consistently enough.

Signing an 18-month contract at Bolton Wanderers in January, Bodvarsson will be striving to enjoy a good 22/23 season at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Unable to see regular game time during his two-and-a-half year spell with the Lions, Jiri Skalak is another who was unable to find consistency during his time with the London club.

Playing less than 100o minutes in his first two seasons at The Den, it is safe to say that this was a move that just did not work out.

Skalak joined Czech First League side FK Mladá Boleslav for an undisclosed fee in February 2021, ending the last campaign with three goals and two assists in 22 league outings.

joined Czech First League side FK Mladá Boleslav for an undisclosed fee

Leaving Norwich City midway through the 2017/18 campaign, Harry Toffolo joined the Lions for what remained of that season.

Unable to make a single appearance for the Championship outfit, and making the bench in the league just once, he swiftly left the London club when the season came an end.

Now thriving under Carlos Corberan's stewardship at Huddersfield Town, Toffolo emerged as an integral part of the success that the Terriers saw last season.