Blackburn Rovers Academy 2025-26

Blackburn Rovers Academy 2025–26 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for young players.

Blackburn Rovers FC runs a category 1 academy based in the North West.

Academy Staff:

  • Head of Academy: Paul Gray
  • Under-21 Head Coach: Gregory Vignal
  • Under-18 Head Coach: Paul Butler

Blackburn Rovers Retained List 2025

View the complete list of Blackburn players who have been retained, released, or have returned to their parent clubs following loan spells.

Blackburn Scholars 2025/26

  1. Alfie McIlroy
  2. Archie McCoy
  3. Charlie Clanford
  4. David Odogun
  5. Harry Holt
  6. Harry Lister
  7. Harvey Higgins
  8. Levi Ball
  9. Thomas Cryer
  10. Silver Eze
  11. Archie Henderson

Blackburn Academy Players On Loan 2025/26

Young players on loan.

  1. Connor O’Riordan (Defender) Doncaster Rovers
  2. Leo Duru (Defender) San Diego
  3. James Edmondson (Midfielder) Macclesfield
  4. Harley O’Grady-Macken (Midfielder) Oldham Athletic
  5. Charlie Olson (Defender) Oldham Athletic
  6. Jack Barrett (Goalkeeper) Tranmere Rovers
  7. George Pratt (Defender) Chorley
  8. Harrison Wood (Forward) Warrington Town
  9. Patrik Farkas (Midfielder) Prescot Cables
  10. Zack Stritch (Midfielder) Curzon Ashton

Blackburn Academy Players in the First Team 2025/26

  1. Lorenze Mullarkey-Matthews (Defender) #41
  2. Nicholas Michalski (Goalkeeper) #35
  3. Kristi Montgomery (Midfielder) #31
  4. Igor Tyjon (Forward) #32
  5. Valentin Joseph (Forward) #54
  6. Frank Vare (Midfielder) #53
  7. Tom Atcheson (Defender) #38

Blackburn Rovers Academy International Players 2025/26

  1. Archie Walls (Midfielder) Wales U16
  2. Theo Pitt (Defender) Wales U17
  3. Harvey Higgins (Forward) England U17
  4. Igor Tyjon (Forward) England U17: U18
  5. Nicholas Michalski (Goalkeeper) England U19
  6. Kristi Montgomery (Midfielder) Scotland U21
  7. Tom Atcheson (Defender) Northern Ireland U21
  8. Aodham Doherty (Forward) Northern Ireland U21

Academy Competitions

U18 Premier League

The league divides teams into North and South groups for the U18s, calling it the U18 Premier League.

Blackburn Rovers Under-18 play in the North League

Below are the team standings at the winter break, marking roughly the halfway point of the season.

U18 Premier League North

U17 and U18 Premier League Cup

In 2017, the Premier League introduced the U18 Premier League Cup and the U16 Premier League Cup, renaming the latter to the U17 Premier League Cup in 2020 for their respective age groups.

The seven group winners, along with the best runner-up determined by total points, goal difference, and then head-to-head record, will progress to the quarterfinals.

U17 Premier League Cup Group Stage

Blackburn Rovers U17 are drawn in Group E against under 17 teams from Burnley, Manchester United and Stoke City.

  1. Blackburn Rovers U17 won away against Manchester United U17 (1 – 3)
  2. Blackburn Rovers U17 won at home against Burnley U17 (3 – 0)
  3. Blackburn Rovers U17 won at home against Stoke City U17 (7 – 1)

U18 Premier League Cup Group Stage

Blackburn U18 are drawn in Group F against under 18 teams from Leeds, West Brom and Fulham.

  1. Blackburn Rovers U18 won at home against Fulham U18 (7 – 0)
    • Frank Vare (3)
    • Valentin Joseph (2)
    • Archie McCoy
    • Harry Lister
  2. Blackburn Rovers U18 drew away against Leeds United U18 (3 – 3)
    • Michael Decandia
    • Valentin Joseph
  3. Blackburn Rovers U18 lost away against West Bromwich Albion U18 (1 – 0)

FA Youth Cup

Third Round Proper

Blackburn Rovers U18 have been drawn at home against Southampton U18

  1. Blackburn Rovers U18 won at home against Southampton U18 (2 – 1)
    • Valentin Joseph
    • Harvey Higgins

Fourth Round Proper

Blackburn Rovers U18 have been drawn away against Coventry City

  1. Blackburn Rovers U18 won away against Coventry City U18 (1 – 8)
    • Levi Ball
    • Valentin Joseph (3)
    • Igor Tyjon
    • Harvey Pates
    •  Michael Decandia

Fifth Round Proper

Blackburn Rovers U18 have been drawn away against Swansea City

  1. Blackburn Rovers U18 won away against Swansea City (0 – 2)
    • Valentin Joseph (2)

Quarter Final

Blackburn Rovers U18 have been drawn at home against Charlton Athletic or Burnley

Premier League 2

Starting from the 2023 season, all Category 1 teams compete in a single league using the Swiss-style format.

There are a total of 29 clubs competing in the 2025/26 season.

Entry into or removal from this league depends on meeting the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) accreditation criteria.

Below are the team standings at the winter break, marking roughly the halfway point of the season.

PL2 Top Half
PL2 Bottom Half

Premier League 2 Player of the Month

October 2025

  1. Brandon Powell (Winner)

U21 Premier League Cup

The Premier League Cup was introduced in the 2013/14 season to enhance competition during the Professional Development Phase.

It added a knockout tournament alongside the regular league schedule. For the 2025/26 season, the format features nine groups.

The top team from each group automatically qualifies for the knockout stage, along with the seven best second-placed teams.

U21 Premier League Cup Group Stage

Blackburn U21 are drawn in Group D against under 21 teams from Coventry City, Leyton Orient and Watford.

  1. Blackburn Rovers U21 drew away against Coventry City U21 (1 – 1)
    • Jayden Sergeant
  2. Blackburn Rovers U21 won at home against Leyton Orient U21 (3 – 1)
    • Aodhan Doherty
    • Joe Boggan
    • Brandon Powell
  3. Blackburn Rovers U21 drew away against Leyton Orient U21 (1 – 1)
    • Valentin Joseph
  4. Blackburn Rovers U21 lost away against Watford U21 (2 – 1)
    • Brandon Powell
  5. Blackburn Rovers U21 won at home against Watford U21 (4 – 2)
    • Valentin Joseph (2)
    • Aodhan Doherty
    • Patrick Farkas
  6. Blackburn Rovers U21 lost at home against Coventry City U21 (0 -1 )

Round of 16

  1. Blackburn Rovers U21 won away against Ipswich Town U21 (2 – 3)
    • Ozzy Kamara (2)
    • Aodhan Doherty

Quarter Final

  1. Blackburn Rovers U21 won at home against Reading U21 (3 – 1)
    • Valentin Joseph
    • Igor Tyjon (2)

Semi Final

  1. Blackburn Rovers U21 lost away against Sunderland U21 (4 – 2)
    • Joe Boggan
    • Brandon Powell

Central League Cup

2025/26 Central League Cup Fixtures announced.

15 teams have entered the competition, divided into four groups:

The top two teams from each group will then advance to the quarterfinals.

Blackburn Rovers Reserves Central League Group Stage 2025/26

Blackburn Rovers Reserves are drawn in Group C against Reserve teams from Blackpool and Preston North End.

  1. Blackburn Rovers Reserves lost at home against Blackpool Reserves (3 – 4)
    • Patrik Farkas
    • Valentin Joseph
    • Silver Eze
  2. Blackburn Rovers Reserves won away against Preston North End Reserves (1 – 2)
    • Valentin Joseph
    • Aodhan Doherty
  3. Blackburn Rovers Reserves lost at home against Blackpool Reserves (1 – 6)

National League Cup

The National League Cup is a 32-team midweek competition, comprising of 16 Under-21s teams participating in Premier League 2 and 16 National League club first teams.

Blackburn Rovers U21s have been placed in Group A in the 2nd edition of the National League Cup competition.

They will face Brackley Town, Rochdale, Solihull Moors, and Tamworth, with all matches being played away from home.

The provisional fixture dates are as follows:

  • Brackley Town vs Rovers U21s – 12th August 2025
  • Rochdale vs Rovers U21s – Week commencing 15th September 2025
  • Solihull Moors vs Rovers U21s – Week commencing 20th October 2025
  • Tamworth vs Rovers U21s – Week commencing 24th November 2025

National League Cup Group Stage

  1. Blackburn Rovers U21 lost away against Brackley Town (2 – 0)
  2. Blackburn Rovers U21 lost away against Rochdale (3 – 2)
    • Lucas Houghton
    • Harrison Wood
  3. Blackburn Rovers U21 lost away against Solihull Moors (1 – 0)
  4. Blackburn Rovers U21 lost away against Tamworth (3 – 0)

Lancashire FA Senior Cup

  1. Blackburn Rovers U21 won away against Preston North End U21 (1 – 3)
    • James Edmondson
    • Joe Boggan
    • Valentin Joseph

Blackburn Rovers Academy News

23rd April 2025

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

10th May 2025

Harley O’Grady-Macken has committed his future to the club by signing a new contract.

The 20-year-old has agreed a one-year deal that runs until June 2026, with the option of a further 12 months.

11th May 2025

Brandon Powell has earned a new contract with the club following an impressive breakthrough season at senior level.

The 19-year-old left-back signed his first professional contract last summer. He’s now agreed to a new deal until June 2027.

The contract includes an option to extend for an extra year.

12th May 2025

Matty Litherland is the latest talented young Rovers player to commit his future to the club by signing a new contract.

The 19-year-old centre-back, who was part of the matchday squad for 12 Championship games last season, has signed a new two-year contract.

The deal runs until June 2027 and includes an option to extend for an additional year.

4th June 2025

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

1st July 2025

20-year-old defender Jake Batty has signed a new one-year contract that will keep him at the club until June 2026.

The deal also includes an option to extend for an additional 12 months.

2nd July 2025

Lorenze Mullarkey-Matthews has signed his first professional contract, committing his future to Ewood Park until the summer of 2026.

11th July 2025

Rovers U21s Pre-Season Fixtures:

  • July 12 – Celtic (Closed doors)
  • July 19 – Tranmere Rovers (Closed doors)
  • July 23 – Oldham Athletic (Closed doors)
  • July 26 – Curzon Ashton, Tameside Stadium, 3pm
  • July 30 – Barnsley (Closed doors)
  • Aug 2 – Ashton United, Hurst Cross, 1pm
  • Aug 9 – Derby County (Closed doors)

3rd September 2025

Highly-rated 17-year-old defender Silver Eze has signed his first professional contract with Blackburn Rovers, committing his future to the club until June 2028.

16th September 2025

16-year-old defender Archie Anderson has joined Blackburn Rovers as a first-year scholar, making the move from Herne Bay.

15th October 2025

Blackburn Rovers Under-16s have reached the finals day of the U16 Premier League Tournament at St. George’s Park.

21st October 2025

Forward Igor Tyjon has been called up to the England U17 squad for the 2025 World Cup in Qatar.

8th November 2025

Rovers Under-21s duo Tom Atcheson and Aodhan Doherty have been called up to the Northern Ireland Under-21s for fixtures against Latvia and Greece in next week’s Euro U21 qualifiers.

14th November 2025

Versatile 20-year-old defender Brandon Powell has been named Premier League 2 (PL2) Player of the Month for October. Powell delivered an outstanding month, scoring three goals and adding an assist.

27th November 2025

Blackburn Rovers U18s will host Southampton U18 in the FA Youth Cup third round proper on Friday, December 12 at Ewood Park with kick-off at 7.00 pm.

14th December 2025

Blackburn Rovers U18s booked their place in the Fourth Round of the FA Youth Cup with a 2–1 win over Southampton.

They will face either Coventry City or Birmingham City in the next round.

22nd December 2025

Blackburn Rovers U18 are set to travel to CBS Arena to face Coventry City in their fourth-round tie on Wednesday 21 January, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm.

24th December 2025

Rovers U21s’ Central League Cup fixture against Blackpool will now take place on Tuesday 13 January at the Rovers Academy, with kick-off at 1pm.

22nd January 2026

After a superb FA Youth Cup display, Rovers Under-18s have been drawn away to Swansea City in round five.

They booked their place with an emphatic 8–1 victory over Coventry City at the CBS Arena on Wednesday night.

28th January 2026

Defender Max Davies has committed his future to the club by signing a new long-term contract.

The 19-year-old centre-back has agreed to a three-and-a-half-year deal running until June 2029, which also includes the option of a further year.

2nd February 2026

Rovers have added to their Under-21s squad with the signing of highly rated Arsenal youngster Osman Kamara after a successful trial period.

The 19-year-old left winger has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract at Ewood Park, running until June 2028, with the club holding an option for a further year.

Left-back Jake Batty has departed Blackburn Rovers to join Swindon Town on a deal until the end of the season, subject to EFL approval.

A graduate of Swindon’s academy, Batty leaves Ewood Park in search of regular first-team football with the League Two club.

4th February 2026

Manchester United have moved to sign young goalkeeper Solomon Honor, prising the promising academy prospect away from Blackburn Rovers.

The shot-stopper departs Ewood Park to link up with United’s under-21s setup.

18th February 2026

January signing Ozzy Kamara netted a brace to wipe out Ipswich’s two-goal advantage, before Doherty struck from the penalty spot in the 115th minute to book Rovers’ place in the quarter-finals of the Premier League Cup

20th February 2026

Promising young midfielder Isaac Dunn has signed his first professional contract with the club.

The 17-year-old has put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal running until June 2028, with an option for a further year.

26th February 2026

Harvey Higgins has signed his first professional contract with the club.

The 17-year-old striker has agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Ewood Park, running until June 2028, with the option of a further year at Blackburn Rovers.

24th March 2026

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

28th April 2026

Jayden Sergeant has put pen to paper on his first professional deal with the club.

29th April 2026

Freddie Leatherbarrow is the latest Rovers academy player to sign his first professional contract with the club.

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder has agreed a two-year deal running until June 2028, which includes the option of an additional year.

6th May 2026

Michael Decandia is the latest Academy prospect to sign his first professional contract with the club.

The 18-year-old centre-back has agreed a two-year deal running until June 2028, with an option for a further 12 months.

11th May 2026

Full-back Harvey Pates has signed his first professional contract with the club.

The 18-year-old has agreed a two-year deal, keeping him at Ewood Park until at least June 2028, with an additional 12-month option.

19th May 2026

Tyler Mansbridge has signed his first professional contract with the club.

The 18-year-old has agreed a one-year deal running until June 2027, with an additional one-year option.

Under-21 Released

  1. Leo Duru
  2. Harley O’Grady-Macken
  3. Adam Khan
  4. Harrison Wood
  5. Joe Boggan
  6. Zack Stritch
  7. Patrik Farkas

Under-18 Released

  1. Aaron Potter
  2. Blake Wolsoncroft
  3. Leon Kelley-Quinn
  4. Luke Thompson