Rovers have confirmed the loan signing of Manchester City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

The 19-year-old central defender has agreed a deal through to the end of the season.

Rovers moved for Harwood-Bellis as their second central defensive loan signing of the window following the arrival of Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton.

The teenager represents a real coup for Rovers who had been looking to add two new faces to their central defensive ranks this season, with Branthwaite and Harwood-Bellis top of the list.

Rovers have good links with Manchester City, not least from nurturing Tosin Adarabioyo last season.

Harwood-Bellis, aged 19, has made two FA Cup and the same number of Carabao Cup appearances for City, and has twice been on the bench for City’s first-team. He has also played eight times for City’s Under-23s this season.

The defender signed a contract in December through to 2024, with Harwood-Bellis highly-regarded at his parent club.