Rory Finneran has sent a goodbye message to Blackburn Rovers ahead of his imminent move to Newcastle United.

The young Irish midfielder became the club's youngest-ever player in January when he made his debut in the FA Cup against Cambridge United.

Despite Rovers' best efforts, Finneran has been lured to the North East, rejecting a scholarship offer from Rovers. The 16-year-old can't sign his first professional deal until he turns 17, in February 20225.

The writing has been on the walls for some time with Finneran, with a move to the Magpies a matter of when not if for the last six weeks.

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All that was left to be agreed was the compensation fee that Rovers will receive. The Lancashire Telegraph understands the two clubs have been in discussions for a while and a fee now appears to have been agreed, with Finneran saying farewell on social media.

"I would like to say a massive thank you to all the coaches, staff and my teammates at Blackburn over the past 8 years at the club for supporting and helping me develop," he wrote on Instagram.

"It has been an amazing journey, from signing at u8’s to making my first team debut, I have enjoyed every moment and wish the best for everyone at the club. I felt it was the time for a new challenge and I am very excited for the next step in my career."

A photo of Finneran's unveiling in a Newcastle shirt has been leaked on X and so an official announcement is seemingly due very soon. 

Rovers made a strong play to keep Finneran, underlining the pathway through the Academy into the first team. However, as Gregg Broughton outlined in March, the club were always vulnerable to the talented midfielder being poached.