Mahlon Romeo signing a new long-term deal should be the beginning of pushing onto the next level for Millwall.

The defender signed a new long-term deal at the club after a successful debut season in the Championship.

The Lions finished eighth in what was a barnstorming return to the second tier of English football.

A solid return should not be the fault of any progression for Neil Harris and his men.

In recent weeks, Millwall have been linked with the permanent capture of Wolves loanee Ben Marshall after he impressed at The Den during the second-half of the campaign, with other cubs such as Norwich sniffing around.

That potential progression is yet to come to fruition, however. Should that transfer go through, it would undoubtably break the Lions’ current transfer record.

Spending money has never been fashionable at Millwall with loans and free transfers being the preferred choice in acquiring targets to improve the squad.

Something of a rare occurrence has been reported on the grapevine of the stoney fortress in SE16.

The Lions completed a deal for Scunthorpe defender Murray Wallace for an undisclosed fee on Wednesday.

Boss Harris called him: "One of the best centre-halves in League One." If this is not a sign of intent - in relative to Millwall's budget intent - then nothing is.

Strengthen the squad, while coupling that with tying down players who were integral in the sensation first season back in the Championship is vital.

Romeo committing his future to the club is sure sign of progression. Not looking to sell on key players who had a major impact in a successful season is a sign of such a thing.

Couple that with players to strengthen and improve what has already been assembled only speaks volumes in the job that Harris is doing.

Harris is shrewd and assured, the Lions’ boss knows that skill isn’t everything and you need a particular temperament and attitude to play at The Den and for a club like Millwall.

After last season and a tested recruitment philosophy mixed in with keeping hold of young talented players, the sky is the limit.