Rovers prospect Jake Batty has signed his first professional contract with the club.

Batty is the final player of the scholars offered professional terms by Rovers this summer to put pen to paper and commit their future to the club.

Due to still being 17, Batty is only able to sign a three-year deal with Rovers, through to 2025, just as Ash Phillips did when agreeing his contract last month.

Batty’s contractual situation has gone under the radar somewhat, given much talk had surrounded the uncertainty over the future of Phillips. But this agreement is a real boost for Rovers who see the left back as a big part of the club’s future plans.

He has represented England at Under-17 level and has already made his senior debut for Rovers having impressed for the Under-18s and Under-21s side.

A tough-tackling, energetic left back with good delivery into the box, Batty is the latest player to come through the ranks with a big future, and was handed his senior debut in the closing stages of the Carabao Cup win over Hartlepool United at Ewood Park in August.

He was also on the bench for the second round win at Bradford City.

Rovers’ Director of Football Gregg Broughton added: “We are delighted to agree Jake’s first professional contract with Blackburn Rovers. His progress through our development centre, into the Academy and now to training every day with our first team is great credit to his focus and understanding of the importance of working hard every day in order to fulfil your potential.

“Jake is still only 17 years old and we will continue to work with him on his development both in a team and individual environment.

“On the back of his performances for our Under-18s team last season and internationally with England, there was considerable interest from Premier League clubs over the summer and it would have been easy for Jake to take these opportunities for huge short-term gains.

“Our continuous message to our young players, their parents and representatives is that we believe that we are ahead of any other club in the country in being able to offer opportunities for our young players to fulfil their long-term potential through first team squad planning, the integration of our Academy and first team, and the employment of a head coach who consistently demonstrates his understanding of how to develop players.”

Batty was sent off in the Under-21s’ 4-0 defeat to Leicester and hasn’t featured since because of suspension and a minor injury.

He was a key part of Rovers Under-18s’ run to the FA Youth Cup quarter final last season and will also be able to feature again for Ryan Kidd’s side in this year’s competition, of which Rovers will enter at the third round stage in December.

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