Blackburn Rovers have signed exciting attacker Igor Tyjon to a scholarship deal, despite significant Premier League interest.

The 16-year-old has caught the eye in the Rovers Academy, scoring on his Under-21 debut last season, after impressing for the Under-18s, following his move from Rochdale last summer.

Tyjon's performances even earned him a place on the bench for the first-team Championship fixtures against Bristol City and Leicester City, though he was an unused substitute.

His goal-scoring exploits attracted plenty of interest from the top-flight, with Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion reportedly closely watching his development.

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However, after much negotiation, Tyjon has signed a two-year scholarship at Ewood Park. A formal offer of a professional contract is likely to follow when he turns 17, which is March 2025.

Rovers view the retention of Tyjon as a major coup. He is regarded as one of their brightest Academy prospects and a future asset. It is a further endorsement of the high regard their Category One Academy is held in.

The club have showcased the clear pathway for emerging Academy talent, with Adam Wharton swapping the Under-21s for the European Championship within 24 months.

"It feels very nice, I am very happy to sign it," he told RoversTV. "I am loving it at the moment.

"I came here a year ago and I got the opportunity to train for the first team. I've started this pre-season well too with the first team and I hope that carries on.

"I've been in the 16s, 18s, 21s and the first team. I've loved every single minute of it, it's built my confidence up and I'm at the stage where I wanted to get the first team. I want to start playing regularly.

"It's a massive part of the reason I came here, how many examples there are of players who have done well over the years. Adam Wharton, from the Academy to the first team. That's what drove me to the football club.

"The pathway is brilliant here and it plays a huge part in bringing through new prospects. Hopefully, I can follow the steps of those players, If I can.

Rory Finneran, Rovers' youngest-ever player has not yet signed a scholarship deal and is expected to move on, however. 

The Irish youth international made his debut for Rovers against Cambridge United in January, and has been with the club since the age of eight, but has been widely linked with top-flight clubs. Despite Rovers' best efforts, he is expected to move on, with Newcastle United his most likely destination.

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 have also signed two-year scholarship deals as part of the class of '24.