Blackburn Rovers young gun targets first team (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn Rovers young gun targets first team

10:14am Tuesday 6th May 2008 in

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BLACKBURN defender Martin Olsson has set his sights on becoming a first-team regular next season after agreeing a new long-term contract.

The 19-year-old Swede, who was named Rovers' Young Player of the Year at the club's annual awards night on Sunday, has been rewarded with a four-year deal, having made the breakthrough into the senior squad during the last 12 months.

But the talented teenager, who joined Rovers just over two years ago from Swedish side Hogaborgs BK, insists the hard work has only just begun, and his goal now is to become a serious rival to Stephen Warnock in the battle for the left-back spot.

The former Academy starlet said: "I'm very happy to have signed a new deal; it is what I've been working hard for, to get a contract with the first team.

"I've been doing well, I've been working hard, and now I'm delighted to get that first-team contract.

"I've been in the squad a lot of times, and on the bench too in some games, so my aim for next season is to be more involved and play more first-team games.

"I'm learning all the time in training and I'm delighted that the manager has shown this faith in me."

Olsson was thrilled to scoop the Young Player of the Year award at a glittering ceremony at Ewood.

That completed a momentous few days for the youngster because, as well as signing his new deal over the weekend, he also made his second Premier League appearance as a late substitute in the 3-1 win over Derby County.