UNDER 21 boss Eric Kinder hopes Connor Mahoney can realise his dream of playing for the Blackburn Rovers first team after the 16-year-old finalised his move from Accrington Stanley.

The winger has already made six first-team appearances for Stanley and joins for an undisclosed fee, with Reds chairman Peter Marsden hopeful that add-ons will prove lucrative.

Mahoney will go into Blackburn’s under 21 squad, after making his Stanley first-team debut in front.

Kinder told Rovers Player: “I’m a Blackburn lad and we want Blackburn lads playing for Blackburn Rovers.

“Since he knew of our interest, and we were doing a deal with Accrington, he was texting me every other night saying, ‘This cannot fail, can it? Please tell me Eric it’s not going to break down’.

“He said the only thing he’s ever wanted to do is play football for Blackburn Rovers.

“You can run from the Darwen End to his front door in two minutes.”

Mahoney said: “This is something I’ve dreamt of for a very long time. If it was any other club I probably would have stayed at Accrington.”