Blackburn Rovers Academy

Blackburn Rovers FC runs a category 1 academy based in the North West. They have a youth development program that nurtures young talent.

Blackburn Rovers’ playing philosophy, known as ‘The Rovers Way,’ is built on key principles aligned with modern football demands.

Guided by the motto “Arte et Labore” (skill and hard work), the Academy focuses on developing young homegrown talent and creating a clear pathway to the first team.

The Academy’s official X (formerly Twitter) account is @academy_brfc.

Academy Competitions

Each season, the Academy competes across the standard slate of competitions for Category One clubs:

• U18 Premier League – split into North and South divisions; Blackburn Rovers’ Under-18s play in the North League.
• U17 & U18 Premier League Cup – introduced by the Premier League in 2017; seven group winners plus the best runner-up (by points, goal difference, then head-to-head) progress to the quarter-finals.
• Premier League 2 – since 2023, all Category One academies play in a single Swiss-style league (29 clubs in 2025/26), with entry and removal governed by Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) accreditation criteria.
• U21 Premier League Cup – introduced in the 2013/14 season to add a knockout tournament alongside the regular Professional Development Phase league schedule, featuring nine groups with the top team in each group plus the seven best runners-up advancing to the knockout stage.
• Central League Cup – a reserve-team competition in which entrants are divided into groups, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the quarter-finals.
• National League Cup – a 32-team midweek competition comprising 16 Under-21 sides from Premier League 2 and 16 National League club first teams.
• Premier League International Cup – teams are split into four groups of eight, each comprising four UK-based Under-21 sides and four invited overseas clubs represented by their development squads, with the top two in each group advancing to the knockout stage.
• Lancashire FA Cups – county knockout competitions contested by Blackburn Rovers’ Under-18s (Youth Cup) and Under-21s (Senior Cup) alongside sides from across Lancashire.
• FA Youth Cup – the traditional nationwide knockout competition open to academy sides across English football.

2025/26 Season

The Academy enters the 2025/26 season under Head of Academy Paul Gray and Under-18 Head Coach Paul Butler.

In November 2025, 44-year-old Gregory Vignal was appointed the club’s new Under-21s Head Coach.

Full details of players retained, released, or returned from loan following the 2024/25 season can be found on the club’s official retained list.

Scholars 2025/26

Alfie McIlroy, Archie McCoy, Charlie Clanford, David Odogun, Harry Holt, Harry Lister, Harvey Higgins, Levi Ball, Thomas Cryer, Silver Eze, Archie Henderson.

Academy Players on Loan 2025/26

• Connor O’Riordan (Defender) – Doncaster Rovers
• Leo Duru (Defender) – San Diego
• James Edmondson (Midfielder) – Macclesfield
• Harley O’Grady-Macken (Midfielder) – Oldham Athletic
• Charlie Olson (Defender) – Oldham Athletic
• Jack Barrett (Goalkeeper) – Tranmere Rovers
• George Pratt (Defender) – Chorley
• Harrison Wood (Forward) – Warrington Town
• Patrik Farkas (Midfielder) – Prescot Cables
• Zack Stritch (Midfielder) – Curzon Ashton

Academy Players in the First Team 2025/26

Lorenze Mullarkey-Matthews (Defender, #41), Nicholas Michalski (Goalkeeper, #35), Kristi Montgomery (Midfielder, #31), Igor Tyjon (Forward, #32), Valentin Joseph (Forward, #54), Frank Vare (Midfielder, #53), Tom Atcheson (Defender, #38).

International Players 2025/26

• Archie Walls (MF) – Wales U16
• Theo Pitt (DF) – Wales U17
• Harvey Higgins (FW) – England U17
• Igor Tyjon (FW) – England U17; U18
• Nicholas Michalski (GK) – England U19
• Kristi Montgomery (MF) – Scotland U21
• Tom Atcheson (DF) – Northern Ireland U21
• Aodham Doherty (FW) – Northern Ireland U21

2025/26 Tournament Groupings

In the U17 Premier League Cup, Blackburn Rovers’ Under-17s were drawn in Group E against Under-17 sides from Burnley, Manchester United and Stoke City.

For the U18 Premier League Cup, the Under-18s were drawn in Group F against Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion and Fulham.

In the U21 Premier League Cup, the Under-21s were drawn in Group D against Coventry City, Leyton Orient and Watford.

Also in the Central League Cup, Blackburn Rovers’ Reserves were drawn in Group C against Reserve sides from Blackpool and Preston North End.

In the National League Cup, the Under-21s were placed in Group A, facing Brackley Town, Rochdale, Solihull Moors and Tamworth, with all fixtures played away from home.

Season Timeline

June 2025

• 21-year-old goalkeeper Felix Goddard signed a new two-year contract, keeping him at the club until June 2027, with an option to extend for a further year.

July 2025

• 20-year-old defender Jake Batty signed a new one-year contract that would keep him at the club until June 2026, with an option to extend for an additional 12 months.
• Lorenze Mullarkey-Matthews signed his first professional contract, committing his future to Ewood Park until the summer of 2026.
• Rovers’ Under-21 pre-season fixtures were confirmed, including a mix of closed-doors and public matches against sides such as Celtic, Tranmere Rovers, Oldham Athletic, Curzon Ashton, Barnsley, Ashton United and Derby County.

September 2025

• Highly rated 17-year-old defender Silver Eze signed his first professional contract with Blackburn Rovers, committing his future to the club until June 2028.
• 16-year-old defender Archie Anderson joined Blackburn Rovers as a first-year scholar, making the move from Herne Bay.

October 2025

• Blackburn Rovers’ Under-16s reached finals day of the U16 Premier League Tournament at St George’s Park.
• Forward Igor Tyjon was called up to the England Under-17 squad for the 2025 World Cup in Qatar.

November 2025

• Rovers’ Under-21s duo Tom Atcheson and Aodhan Doherty were called up to the Northern Ireland Under-21s for fixtures against Latvia and Greece in the Euro U21 qualifiers.
• 44-year-old Gregory Vignal was appointed Blackburn Rovers’ new Under-21s Head Coach.
• Versatile 20-year-old defender Brandon Powell was named Premier League 2 Player of the Month for October.
• Blackburn Rovers’ Under-18s were confirmed to host Southampton in the FA Youth Cup third round proper, with the tie scheduled for Friday 12 December at Ewood Park.

December 2025

• Blackburn Rovers’ Under-18s booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, setting up a tie against the winner of Coventry City v Birmingham City.
• Blackburn Rovers’ Under-18s were confirmed to travel to the CBS Arena to face Coventry City in their fourth-round tie on Wednesday 21 January.
• Rovers’ Under-21s’ Central League Cup fixture against Blackpool was rescheduled to take place on Tuesday 13 January at the Rovers Academy.

January 2026

• Following a superb FA Youth Cup display, Rovers’ Under-18s were drawn away to Swansea City in round five, having progressed past Coventry City at the CBS Arena.
• Defender Max Davies signed a new long-term contract, agreeing a three-and-a-half-year deal running until June 2029, which also includes the option of a further year.

February 2026

• Rovers added to their Under-21s squad with the signing of highly rated Arsenal youngster Osman Kamara after a successful trial period, agreeing a two-and-a-half-year contract running until June 2028, with the club holding an option for a further year.
• Left-back Jake Batty departed Blackburn Rovers to join Swindon Town, subject to EFL approval, in search of regular first-team football with the League Two club.
• Manchester United signed young goalkeeper Solomon Honor from Blackburn Rovers, with the shot-stopper linking up with United’s Under-21s setup.
• Blackburn Rovers’ Under-21s advanced to the quarter-finals of the Premier League Cup, following their tie against Ipswich Town.
• Promising young midfielder Isaac Dunn signed his first professional contract with the club, agreeing a two-and-a-half-year deal running until June 2028, with an option for a further year.
• 17-year-old striker Harvey Higgins signed his first professional contract with the club, agreeing a two-and-a-half-year deal running until June 2028, with the option of a further year.

March 2026

• Under-18 midfielder Frank Vare signed his first professional contract with Blackburn Rovers, agreeing a deal running until 2028, with the option of a further 12 months.

April 2026

• Jayden Sergeant signed his first professional deal with the club.
• 18-year-old attacking midfielder Freddie Leatherbarrow signed his first professional contract, agreeing a two-year deal running until June 2028, with an included option for an additional year.

May 2026

• 18-year-old centre-back Michael Decandia signed his first professional contract, agreeing a two-year deal running until June 2028, with an option for a further 12 months.
• Full-back Harvey Pates signed his first professional contract with the club, agreeing a two-year deal that will keep him at Ewood Park until at least June 2028, with an additional 12-month option.
• 18-year-old Tyler Mansbridge signed his first professional contract, agreeing a one-year deal running until June 2027, with an additional one-year option.
• Blackburn Rovers’ Under-15s capped off an outstanding season by winning the prestigious Dalmatinko Cup in Croatia.

Released Academy Players (end of 2025/26)

Under-21s: Leo Duru, Harley O’Grady-Macken, Adam Khan, Harrison Wood, Joe Boggan, Zack Stritch, Patrik Farkas.

Under-18s: Aaron Potter, Blake Wolsoncroft, Leon Kelley-Quinn, Luke Thompson.

2024/25 Season

The 2024/25 season saw Blackburn Rovers compete across the full slate of Category One competitions, under Head of Academy Stuart Jones.

The campaign included several notable milestones: 16-year-old Igor Tyjon became the club’s third-youngest ever player, and Blackburn Rovers marked 700 consecutive league matches featuring an academy player in the matchday squad.

Scholars 2024/25

Igor Tyjon, Michael Decandia, Isaac Dunn, Valentin Joseph, Leon Kelly-Quinn, Freddie Leatherbarrow, Bruce Leeming, Tyler Mansbridge, Harvey Pates, Aaron Potter, Jayden Sergeant, Luke Thompson, Frank Vare, Blake Wolsoncroft.

Academy Players on Loan 2024/25

• Jake Garrett (Midfielder) – Bristol Rovers; Tranmere Rovers
• Connor O’Riordan (Defender) – Cambridge United
• Jake Batty (Defender) – Accrington Stanley
• Tom Atcheson (Defender) – Marine AFC
• Jalil Saadi (Midfielder) – Ethnikos Achnas
• Harrison Wood (Forward) – Annan Athletic; Radcliffe
• Dan Shaw (Midfielder) – Alvechurch FC
• Nicholas Michalski (Goalkeeper) – Bamber Bridge; City of Liverpool FC
• Charlie Olson (Defender) – Altrincham
• James Edmonson (Midfielder) – Macclesfield FC
• Solomon Honor (Goalkeeper) – Clitheroe FC; Atherton Collieries
• Max Davies (Defender) – Warrington Rylands
• Adam Khan (Goalkeeper) – City of Liverpool FC
• Brandon Powell (Defender) – Chorley
• Teddy Ramwell (Defender) – City of Liverpool
• Jordan Eastham (Goalkeeper) – Ashton United
• Felix Goddard (Goalkeeper) – Ebbsfleet United
• Leo Duru (Defender) – Barrow
• Patrick Gamble (Defender) – AFC Fylde
• Lewis Bell (Midfielder) – Marine AFC
• Exaucé Mafoumbi (Forward) – Lierse SK
• Kristi Montgomery (Midfielder) – Marine FC; Chorley
• Jack Barrett (Goalkeeper) – Workington

Academy Graduates in the First Team 2024/25

Harry Leonard (Forward, #20), Igor Tyjon (Midfielder, #32), Matty Litherland (Defender, #40), Harley O’Grady-Macken (Midfielder, #41), Isaac Dunne (Midfielder, #46), Brandon Powell (Defender, #50).

International Players 2024/25

• Theo Pitt (DF) – Wales U16
• Harvey Higgins (MF) – England U16
• Niall Goghavala (MF) – Canada U16
• Igor Tyjon (MF) – England U17
• Nicolas Michalski (GK) – England U18
• Aodhan Doherty (FW) – Northern Ireland U19; U21
• Leo Duru (DF) – USA U20
• Connor O’Riordan (DF) – Republic of Ireland U21
• Tom Atcheson (DF) – Northern Ireland U19; U21

2024/25 Tournament Groupings

In the U17 Premier League Cup, Blackburn Rovers’ Under-17s were drawn in Group F against Under-17 sides from Everton, Manchester City and Fleetwood Town.

For the U18 Premier League Cup, the Under-18s were drawn in Group C against Sunderland, Reading and West Bromwich Albion.

In the U21 Premier League Cup, the Under-21s were drawn in Group E against Queens Park Rangers, Colchester United and Preston North End.

Also in the Central League Cup, 18 teams entered the competition across four groups — Groups A and C containing five teams each, and Groups B and D containing four — with Blackburn Rovers’ Reserves drawn in Group A against Burnley Reserves, Barrow Reserves, Morecambe FC Reserves and Carlisle United Reserves.

In the National League Cup, the Under-21s were placed in Group B, facing Altrincham, Forest Green Rovers, Oldham Athletic and Rochdale, with all fixtures played away from home.

Finally in the Premier League International Cup, the Under-21s were grouped with Athletic Club, Benfica, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Lyon, alongside fellow English sides Middlesbrough, Sunderland and West Ham.

Season Timeline

September 2024

• 17-year-old Dan Shaw made his debut for Alvechurch while on loan from Blackburn Rovers.
• Igor Tyjon, at 16 years and 178 days, became Blackburn Rovers’ third-youngest ever player and the second-youngest to make a league appearance.
• Nicholas Michalski was recalled from his loan spell at Bamber Bridge, having made 11 appearances for the Northern Premier League Premier Division club.
• To celebrate World Heart Day, the Blackburn Rovers Academy’s Under-9s to Under-12s in the Foundation Development Phase received essential basic training ahead of one of their football sessions at the Senior Training Centre.

November 2024

• Blackburn Rovers were drawn away to Sheffield United in the third round of the FA Youth Cup.

December 2024

• The FA Youth Cup third-round match against Sheffield United’s Under-18s was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
• Blackburn Rovers marked their 700th consecutive league match featuring an academy player in the matchday squad.
• Blackburn’s FA Youth Cup match against Sheffield United was rescheduled to kick off at 7pm at York City’s LNER Community Stadium.
• Rovers’ Under-16 and Under-17 teams both advanced to the knockout phase of the Premier League Cup, having finished at the top of their respective groups.
• Blackburn Rovers’ FA Youth Cup run came to an end in the third round, following their tie away to Sheffield United.

January 2025

• Loanee Jake Garrett returned to the club from his loan at Bristol City.
• Connor O’Riordan was recalled from his loan stint at Cambridge United.
• Dominik Biniek departed Blackburn Rovers to join Polish second-tier club Bruk-Bet Termalica Nieciecza on a one-and-a-half-year contract.

March 2025

• Blackburn Rovers’ Under-18s’ Lancashire FA Youth Cup journey came to an end, following their tie against Bolton Wanderers.

April 2025

• Lucas Houghton signed his first professional contract with Blackburn Rovers; the young right-back agreed to a two-year deal that runs until June 2027, with an option to extend for an additional year.

May 2025

• Harley O’Grady-Macken committed his future to the club by signing a new one-year contract that runs until June 2026, with the option of a further 12 months.
• Brandon Powell earned a new contract with the club following an impressive breakthrough season at senior level, agreeing a new deal until June 2027 with an option to extend for an extra year.
• Matty Litherland, who was part of the matchday squad for 12 Championship games during the season, committed his future to the club by signing a new two-year contract running until June 2027, with an option to extend for an additional year.
• Blackburn Rovers Under-21 coach Mike Sheron reflected on what he considered a challenging season for his team, though he acknowledged there were positives to build on for the upcoming campaign.

Released Academy Players (end of 2024/25)

Academy Players: Teddy Ramwell, Stephen Edmondson, Nathan Willis (joined Barnsley), Jackson Shorrocks (joined Huddersfield Town), Bradley Taylor, Lewis Bell, Paul Murphy-Worrell.

Young Professionals: Adam Caddick, Alex Baker, Jalil Saadi, Isaac Whitehall, Rhys Doherty, Jordan Eastham (joined Ashton United), Tom Bloxham, Patrick Gamble, Zak Gilsenan (joined Grimsby Town).