Blackburn Rovers forward Jack Vale has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

The 18-year-old has penned a four-year deal at Ewood Park, meaning he is contracted to the North West club until the summer of 2023.

Vale, who joined Blackburn at the age of 14, has never featured for the Rovers first team but has developed through both the under-18s and under-23s.

He first turned heads in the FA Youth Cup in the 2017/18 season, scoring a hat-trick in a fifth round tie against Nottingham Forest.

The versatile forward, who is comfortable playing across the front line and as an attacking-midfielder, broke into the under-23s last season after scoring four goals and providing three assists for the under-18s.

In the 2018/19 Premier League 2 campaign, he scored five goals and provided one assist in 14 appearances.

He has regularly featured in Premier League 2 for the under-23s again this season, providing two assists in four appearances.

The quality of Vale’s performances has been such that the teenager has been called up for the Wales under-21s squad for the first time ahead of their Euro 2021 qualifier against Moldova during the international break.

The Verdict

His performances in the age-group sides for Blackburn and his recognition on the international stage suggest that Vale is an exciting young attacking player, who could go on to big things.

As such, tying him down to a long-term deal at Ewood Park looks like a really smart move from the club.

It will be interesting to see if he gets a chance to prove himself with the first team this season.

Blackburn have made a pretty strong start to the season under Tony Mowbray and are currently 12th, just four points outside the top six.

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