ROVERS have made Leighton Clarkson their first signing of the summer.

The Liverpool midfielder has joined on a season-long loan having completed his medical today.

Rovers have been in the market for a new central midfielder since the summer departures of Corry Evans, Lewis Holtby and loanee Tom Trybull.

Mowbray is eyeing up to five more signings before the August 31 deadline.

Clitheroe-born Clarkson has been with the Premier League side since the age of six, signing his first professional deal in 2019 and then signing a long-term extension 12 months later.

The 19-year-old has made three senior appearances for the Reds, including 90 minutes in the Champions League group stages against FC Midtjylland in December, with further outings in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

He has made 20 Premier League 2 appearances, including the 2-2 draw against Rovers at Leyland in April when Tony Mowbray was able to watch him at close quarters.

That followed a goal-scoring appearance for Clarkson when the sides met in a friendly at Anfield in June ahead of the Project Restart fixtures.

Clarkson’s preferred role is being the creative deep-lying midfielder, with eight goals and 15 assists across his 73 Academy appearances for Liverpool.

He is the second loanee from Jurgen Klopp’s side in as many years, following on from Harvey Elliott in 2020/21.