Aodhan Doherty is keen to impress John Eustace and earn a route into the Blackburn Rovers first-team picture.
The talented winger signed from Linfield last week, penning a three-year deal at Ewood Park. Rovers are keen to continue their early recruitment for the Academy to supplement their own talent.
Doherty has been playing regular first-team football in Ireland and has been on trial with Premier League clubs previously too. That tempted Rovers in to make a bid for his services.
Despite being only 18 and having just moved to the club, the exciting forward wants to waste no time and catch the eye of Eustace.
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Pre-season will be an opportunity for the Under-21s to make their mark and Doherty is keen to ensure he takes that opportunity.
“I’ve been training full-time over in Ireland, so I’m coming over here with a bit more experience,” Doherty explained.
“The aim is always to get up with the first team and try to play as many games as I can.
“That’s what I want to do and it would mean a lot to me to achieve that with this club.
“Hopefully, fingers crossed, everything pans out the way it’s supposed to do and I can be out here playing on the pitch at Ewood Park and see my family in the stands and it all goes according to plan.
“I’m an out-and-out winger, who loves getting at players, dribbling one-v-ones and I just love to help the team win, scoring goals and creating goals. I like to think of myself as a dangerous player.”
Rovers have been keen to recruit for their Academy to try and bring in the hottest talent at a younger age. Igor Tyjon has been a particular standout, scoring on his 21s debut last season and making the bench for the first team.
Another Irish teenager, Jack Hastings is set for a trial at Rovers later this month. The Larne forward scored 36 goals at Under-18 and Under-20 level last year for his boyhood club.
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