HIGHLY rated defender Jack O'Connell has signed a new two-year contract with Blackburn Rovers.

The 20-year centre back put pen to paper on fresh terms at Ewood Park last night.

The former England U19s captain spent last season on loan at Rochdale, who he helped win promotion from League Two.

Fellow youngsters Bradley Bauress, Kellen Daly, Darragh Lenihan and John O'Sullivan have signed one-year contract extensions while Modou Cham and Devarn Green have penned two-year professional deals.

And David Carson has signed a one-year contract with Rovers after a successful trial last season.

The 18-year-old midfielder or attacker was formerly on the books of Newcastle United and Sunderland but most recently was playing in non-league for Ashington.