Academy Graduates Sign Pro Contracts

Blackburn Rovers have handed one-year professional contracts to three Academy graduates.

Jonathan Bateson, Kris Paterson, and Martin McCubbin are the graduates, who between them made plenty of appearances in the Academy and Reserves sides last season and will now be looking to play exclusively in the Reserves next season in the hope of securing longer-term deals.

Bateson (a local lad) is a defender who can play in the middle or as a right-back, Paterson, (a former Scottish Youth International) can also play in the middle of defence, or (and mainly) as a left-back, and finally McCubbin is a forward who can play on the wing, or as an out and out striker.

Meanwhile another youngster (Alex Marrow) has also been handed a one-year contract after a successful trial with the club.

The 18-year-old midfielder had a trial with Rovers in February (arriving from Non-League Ashton Athletic) and after impressing was offered a short-term contract until the end of last season. After again impressing in the Academy and Reserve sides he has now signed a one-year professional contract and like the three graduates will be looking to impress yet further to secure a longer stay at Ewood Park.

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