# Mahlon Romeo

Mahlon Beresford Baker Romeo (born 19 September 1995) is an Antiguan professional footballer who plays as a defender. He has played for the Antigua and Barbuda national team.

## Career
### Gillingham

Born in the London Borough of Westminster, Romeo joined Gillingham in the summer of 2012 on a two-year scholarship, having previously played in the academies of clubs Arsenal and Wycombe Wanderers. In January 2013, Romeo joined Conference South side Dover Athletic on a youth loan. He made his debut in a 5–2 away defeat to Farnborough. He made his professional debut for Gillingham on the final day of the 2012–13 season as the Gills were crowned champions of Football League Two, a 3–2 away defeat at Burton Albion.

### Millwall

In the summer of 2015, Romeo signed for Millwall and featured regularly in the first team by the second half of his first season with the Lions. He scored on his debut for Millwall, in a 3–0 League One win in February 2016 against Walsall. In May 2017, Romeo played the full 90 minutes as the Lions beat Bradford City 1–0 in the 2016-17 Football League One Playoff final at Wembley Stadium to gain promotion to the Championship.
Romeo then scored his first goal of the club's 2017–18 season in a 3–1 win over Sheffield United.
On 31 August 2021, Romeo joined Portsmouth on loan for the 2021–22 season.

### Cardiff City

On 15 June 2022, Romeo joined Championship club Cardiff City for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal. Romeo had previously played with new manager Steve Morison at Millwall.
On 30 July 2024, his contract with Cardiff City was terminated.

## Personal life

Romeo is the son of fitness expert Efua Baker and music producer and musician Jazzie B; best known as the frontman of the R&B group Soul II Soul, while his sister is actress Jessye Romeo. He is of Antiguan descent through his father, and Ghanaian through his mother.
In June 2024, WalesOnline revealed that Romeo had been convicted of homophobic abuse of a police officer earlier that year. Romeo entered a guilty plea to using "threatening, abusive, or insulting" language or actions and was ordered to pay the victim £100 and was fined £3,317. Romeo was fined £4,423 at a previous hearing in March for operating a vehicle while affected by alcohol. WalesOnline reported Romeo had used homophobic slurs while being held in a Cardiff police station after he had been arrested for drink-driving. The day after the publication of WalesOnline's article, Romeo issued a statement on the incident, saying: "I would like to sincerely apologise to the club and its supporters for my actions on February 8, 2024, which have caused hurt and distress. Those who know me closely know that I do not hold any prejudice against anyone based on their sexual orientation or sexuality. In the past I have worked hard to fight against discrimination and prejudice and so my actions that evening are of great personal disappointment."

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 30 April 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Gillingham | 2012–13 | League Two | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Gillingham | 2014–15 | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gillingham | Total | Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Dover Athletic (loan) | 2012–13 | Conference South | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| Millwall | 2015–16 | League One | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 |
| Millwall | 2016–17 | League One | 32 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 40 | 1 |
| Millwall | 2017–18 | Championship | 27 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 1 |
| Millwall | 2018–19 | Championship | 41 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 47 | 0 |
| Millwall | 2019–20 | Championship | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 44 | 0 |
| Millwall | 2020–21 | Championship | 35 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 38 | 0 |
| Millwall | 2021–22 | Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 |
| Millwall | Total | Total | 198 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 221 | 3 |
| Portsmouth (loan) | 2021–22 | League One | 35 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 41 | 0 |
| Cardiff City | 2022–23 | Championship | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 32 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 267 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 296 | 3 |
* ↑ One appearance in EFL Trophy, three appearances in League One play-offs
* ↑ Appearances in EFL Trophy

### International

    As of match played 26 March 2023
Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 2015 | 4 | 0 |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 2016 | 4 | 0 |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 2018 | 4 | 0 |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 2023 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 14 | 0 |

## Honours

Millwall
* EFL League One play-offs: 2017