Blackburn Rovers' Harry Leonard on new deal and aims

The young forward made his senior debut against Huddersfield in April and went on to make a further three appearances during the final stages of the campaign.

Leonard has been in Rovers’ ranks since Under-10 level and believes it will stand him in good stead as he aims to make an impact on the first-team scene.

“I am delighted. To know that I am going to be here for the next four years, I am buzzing. I really wanted to get it over the line,” he said.

“Seeing the other young lads who will be here for a long time as well, I just think what is going on at the club at the minute with the youth and the gaffer giving us chances, I think it is the right thing for me to do.

“Some of the lads, I have been playing with them since nine, 10 or 11. Being in the first team now with them, it is going to help.

“You want opportunities and when you get them, you have got to take them. To know I could get those opportunities at this club was massive.”

Leonard has been regularly involved during pre-season and was on target against TSV Hartberg, Barnsley and most recently Girona.

He admits being around the first-team squad is starting to feel more natural and is eager to show what he can do in the coming weeks and months.

“I really appreciate the trust that the club has shown me and the opportunities they have given me so far – this pre-season and last year,” he added.

“The trust they have shown me is really good and I just want to repay that.

“I think all the way through the age groups and getting to the first team now, I have felt a part of it. This season I just want to play my part more.

“I think it does (feel natural) now. Last season was a bit different, I was training but I wasn’t as much of a part of it.

“Going into this season, I wanted to get as close to it as possible and I feel like I can show what I’m worth now.”

Leonard in action against Hull City last season (Image: Camerasport)

After getting a taste of Championship football last season, the 19-year-old is determined to push on and get more minutes under his belt.

Leonard knows he still has a lot to learn but is keen to take in information from his more experienced team-mates.

“I learnt a lot last season,” he explained. “There were times I felt that I deserved my chance and the gaffer maybe didn’t trust me yet.

“But every day in training, I’ve been trying to get better and learn from the older lads. I think I am getting closer now.

“I have obviously still got a lot to learn, I am still young. But I am trying to show the manager what he wants from a striker. Doing that in training and the games I am given is only going to help.”

The youngster is pleased to have got on the scoresheet a few times during pre-season but insists leading the line in Rovers’ system is about more than just goals.

“I think it was a lot different,” said Leonard. “You know what the gaffer wants from you and are trying to show him you can do that, I think that was the difference.

“Goals is a big part of it, but I think there is a lot more than just goals. You have got to be good out of possession.

“In possession, you have got to be reliable when it comes up to you. There is more than goals but that is a big part of it.”

He added: “It is about getting three points when you get to the first team and there is a lot you have to do as a striker now.

“You have to work hard for the team, you are the first point of the press and it is massive.”

Leonard is still waiting for his first competitive goal for Rovers and admits it will be a special occasion when it comes.

“I would be over the moon. I have been here since I was nine or 10 years old and to get that first goal, I would be delighted,” he continued.

“As a young forward trying to break through, I think that first goal does take a bit of weight off your shoulders.

“After that goal goes in, I think you can settle and start playing your normal game.”

Leonard is relishing the season ahead as Jon Dahl Tomasson’s men aim to build on their seventh-place finish last term, which saw them miss out on a play-off spot by the slimmest of margins on the final day.

The highly-rated forward insists he didn’t see himself going anywhere else this summer and hopes he can eventually nail down a place in the side.

“I am really looking forward to it,” he declared. “I want to make that step now to senior football.

“Youth football is great and I love scoring goals in the 21s and 18s but I really want that step now to senior football.

“I have got goals for this season and hopefully I can hit them. I will just keep trying to do my best in training and in the opportunities I am given, and then see how it goes from there.

“I want to play for this football club, I think that is why this contract was really important for me.

“I didn’t see myself going anywhere else. I want to try to cement my place at this club and be a big part of it.”