Rovers youngster Tom Atcheson has put pen to paper over a new contract running until the summer of 2028 with a 12-month option.

The 18-year-old has been at Ewood Park since Under-12 level and is currently on loan at Marine as he gains valuable experience in senior football.

Atcheson made his first team debut against Harrogate in the Carabao Cup last season, becoming one of the youngest players to put on the blue and white shirt.

The centre-back also made an appearance off the bench against Wrexham in the FA Cup several months later.

He has represented Northern Ireland at Under-19 level, featuring at the European Championships over the summer, and more recently earned a first call-up to the Under-21 squad.

Atcheson has been getting minutes under his belt at Marine, who currently sit 22nd in National League North, since the start of the campaign.

The defender is delighted to commit his future to Rovers and is hungry to kick on after getting a taste of first-team football at Ewood.

“I’ve wanted this for a long time so I’m obviously buzzing to sign,” he told the club channels.

“Training with the first team and the more experienced players has been a big help in my development and I think it’s improved my game a lot.

“My time with Marine has been a big help too, playing with men, which is obviously very different to Under-21s football. The three points at stake become a lot more important at that level as well.

“Hopefully, we can get a few more wins on the board and for me, personally, I just want to keep playing lots of men’s games and hopefully work my way up the divisions.

“Playing in that game at Harrogate, and against Wrexham in the FA Cup at Ewood, were both very special moments for me and they just make me hungry for more.”