Rovers will lose head of Academy coaching Tony Carss to a Premier League club at the end of the month.

Carss will leave Rovers after five years, with the club now advertising for his role.

It was a full circle return for Carss when appointed in 2017, coming back to the club where he signed his first professional contract in 1994 as an 18-year-old.

He returned after 10 years working with Huddersfield Town to take up the role as Rovers’ head of coaching following David Lowe’s promotion to the first-team under Tony Mowbray.

That summer was one of change for Rovers, with Stuart Jones stepping up to become head of Academy after the departure of Eric Kinder.

Jones and Carss have worked closely together ever since, with the former wishing Carss the best for the future in his new role.

As well as his main role, Carss had also worked with the Under-23s, including a stint as caretaker boss prior to the appointment of Billy Barr in 2019.

Rovers have since appointed Mark Burton as Under-23s assistant manager, to work alongside Mike Sheron, with a recruitment process now needed to source Carss’ replacement.

Jones said: “I appointed Tony as Head of Academy Coaching five years ago and he has been fundamental to our work within the Academy in the development of both players and coaching staff.

"Personally, I would like to thank Tony for his support and commitment over that time, in what has been a successful period in transitioning players into our first team.

"I know he found the decision to leave difficult, however, he will soon move on to a new challenge and opportunity at a Premier League club and I, along with with everyone at the Academy, wish him all the very best in the next step of his career."

A club spokesman said: “Everyone at Rovers thanks Tony for his efforts and wishes him all the best for the future.”

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