ROMAIN Esse said he wanted to get back playing football “with a smile on my face” after he returned to Millwall on a season-long loan from Crystal Palace.
Esse, 21, joined the Eagles in a £14.5million agreement in January 2025. He scored on his Premier League debut against Brentford but only started one top-flight game.
Esse made seventeen appearances for Palace, his other start coming in the Conference League.
“It was a great time last time I was here, it’s really what I want to continue to do,” Esse said on Millwall TV.
“I want to come here and play my football again, get back smiling, playing every week and exciting the fans.
“And it’s good when you have fans that know you as a person and as a player.
“So it’s really what I’m after, just playing with freedom and expressing myself, which is very hard to come [by] in football.
“I’m very lucky this place is a place that’s always accepting of me because everyone here loves me and I love everyone here.
“It’s definitely a place where we can both continue to grow.
“It’s very important, playing my football with a smile on my face because that’s when I play it at my best and obviously that’s how I got my move to Crystal Palace.
“I feel like when I play with a smile on my face, I think there’s not many others that can stop me on my day.
“It’s about just getting it back, training with the boys. I can’t wait to meet all the new individuals, obviously Lenny [Ryan Leonard] and Coops [Jake Cooper], the more experienced players from last time I was here. All the other young players, I can’t wait to meet them and play together for this season.”
Esse went on loan to Coventry City in the second half of last season. He scored two goals in eight Championship starts, including in a 2-1 win against Millwall when he did a cheeky celebration in front of the Lions supporters.
Esses said: “First of all, I’d like to say I’m really sorry for the celebrations!
“But obviously I wear my heart on my sleeve and that’s something I really want to show in the Millwall shirt.
You guys saw my passion when I was here last time, it’s just something that’s part of my game
“I’ll show it this season for Millwall of course when I’m scoring goals and getting assists.
“My first part of the season with Crystal Palace was experiencing a lot of good moments, that’s helped me develop as well as a person and as a player.
“Going through some tough times and some good times has shaped me for this opportunity once again.”
