MILLWALL captain Danny Shittu is hoping to commit his future to the club sooner rather than later.

The Nigerian international’s contract expires at the end of the season and the Lions will be desperate not to lose their main man for free this summer.

Shittu is keen to get the contract signed, but feels it can’t be rushed and that both parties must be sure it is the right deal.

“Everyone knows I’m in talks with the club now about a new contract,” Shittu said.

“At the end of the day, they need to be happy and I need to be happy.

“I want to commit my future to Millwall, they’ve done a lot for me.

“It has to be right, though.

“Hopefully we can get it sorted out.”

The former Queens Park Rangers and Watford defender has become a key player for the Lions and has taken the captain’s armband from the injured Paul Robinson.

Shittu was again a rock at the back as Millwall beat Watford 1-0 on Tuesday night in what was the passionate defender’s 40th game of the season in all competitions.

There is no doubt the centre back has a special relationship with the Lions supporters who have taken to his no nonsense attitude.

“I think Watford was my 40th game for the club in league and cup,” Shittu said.

“I was speaking to my agent and we worked out I’ve played more games this season than I have in the past four seasons combined.

“I’m so glad I can do it at a club I love in front of fans I adore.

“I feel so good, I keep getting knocks but I’m buzzing and fit.”

Being out of contract in the summer, other clubs will inevitably to be keeping tabs on Shittu’s negotiations as he will have impressed many a manager who has seen him this season.

At 32, it is questionable if Millwall will want to offer their captain a long-term contract but it seems the experienced defender is holding out for at least a two-year deal.

And Shittu clearly wants to stay at The Den to repay the faith shown in him by the manager, owners and the fans.

“Obviously I have been linked with other people but that’s not important,” he said.

“I want to be at Millwall and I hope we can get it sorted.

“I want to be here for at least another couple of seasons.

“This is what I can do, for any club, but I’m glad I’m doing it for a manager that believes in me, doing it for the fans who have really supported me, even though it was a bit hard at the beginning, which I understand.

“I absolutely love it here.

“We have a good team, good fans, good manager - that’s why I’m in talks trying to get it sorted out now.

“Everything I do is for Millwall and hopefully we will get it sorted and I will be here for another couple of years.”

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