Midfielder Ben Whiteman has signed a new long-term contract with Doncaster Rovers, the League One side have announced.

Whiteman, whose previous deal with the club had been set to expire at the end of next season, will now remain at the Keepmoat Stadium until at least the summer of 2023.

The midfielder, who was named club captain by new manager Darren Moore at the start of this season, initially joined the club on loan from Sheffield United in the summer of 2017, before making his move permanent the following January, making a total 116 appearances in all competitions for Donny, scoring 15 goals.

Speaking to the club's official website following confirmation of his new deal, Whiteman said: “I can see the long-term vision coming into place. That is with the owners with where they want to the club to be, but from my side, the gaffer has been pivotal. He knows so much about football and cares so much about improving us.

“He has been different class with me and all the lads, and tells us whether you are the youngest or oldest person in the squad that every day is an opportunity to learn. ”

Whiteman had been linked with a move away from the club in the summer, with Hull - now managed by former Doncaster boss Grant McCann - reportedly seeing a bid of around £1million rejected, with the 23-year-old seemingly fully focused on stepping up to the Championship with his current club in the future, as he continued: “It is flattering to have this interest from clubs in the Championship - I back myself to play there and feel I’m ready to do so, but this club feels like home and I want to get there with Rovers this summer."

Discussing the background to the new deal, Whiteman went to reveal that things have been in motion for some time, as he claimed: “The contract has been in the pipeline for a while, the board came to me when there was interest in the summer and I’m really pleased it is all sorted so I can concentrate on my football.”

The Verdict

This looks like a really key piece of business for Doncaster.

Whiteman has established himself as a vital figure in the centre of their midfield in the past few seasons, and the fact that he has been named captain this season just goes to show how important his presence is to this side.

Indeed, given that Championship interest there was in him during the summer, it does seem as though his ability could be crucial in helping Donny get back to the second-tier sooner rather than later.

With that in mind, this new deal is arguably something of a coup and a significant statement of intent for Doncaster to make.