Rovers are pleased to announce that promising young defender Tom Atcheson has signed his first professional contract with the club.
Atcheson, who celebrated his 17th birthday last week, has signed a two-and-a-half-year pro deal at Ewood Park through to June 2026.
The talented teenager, who is still just a first year scholar, has been training regularly with the first team squad since the start of pre-season.
He then became the fourth youngest player in the club’s history when he made his debut in Rovers’ record 8-0 victory away to Harrogate Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup, aged just 16 years and 343 days.
Just over a week later, Atcheson then made his international debut, starting for Northern Ireland Under-19s in their friendly against Italy.
After penning his pro deal, the 17-year-old said: “I’m very pleased. It’s everything you look forward to from being a young boy, everything you work towards and everything you want to be – a professional footballer.
“It’s very special. It’s been quite unexpected. This time last year I would never have thought I’d be signing my pro contract so early, so I’m delighted.
“Last season I was involved with the first team training towards the end of the season, and this season, since the start of pre-season, I’ve been in and around it every day, which has just been unreal and something I would never have thought.
“I’ve learnt loads working with the first team professionals who have been in the game for ages. Just learning from them every day, and in particular players who play in my position.”
