Sam Burns’ impressive season with Rovers Under-23s has seen the striker extend his contract for at least another season.

The teenage striker had a run of eight goals in 11 games that saw him shortlisted for the Premier League 2 player of the month in March.

Burns shot to prominence when he netted five goals in Rovers’ run to the FA Youth Cup semi-finals in 2019/20, and signed a one-year professional deal. And on the back of a fine season for the Under-23s, helping them secure a fourth-placed finish in Premier League 2, he has signed an extended deal.

The 18-year-old is now signed up until the summer of 2022, with an option for it to be extended by a further 12 months.

Burns’ workrate and ability to lead the line were a key asset in Billy Barr’s side, but it was a goal glut towards the end of the season which demonstrated the improvements he’s made over the course of the season.

And Burns said: “I’m delighted. I’ve worked hard this season and it finally paid off for me and I get to go again next year.

“I think the first half of the season I struggled a little bit, making the step up from Under-18s to Under-23s. I just focused on development really. Then with everything I learnt, I tried to put it into my game and I think in the second half of the season it showed and I got my goals and got my rewards.

“Once I got my first two or three goals, I just felt like I was going to score in every game, which was really pleasing. I’ve just got to kick on, improve and keep pushing up higher now.

“Overall, it was a very, very good season for the team. The table shows that we all played well together. We work hard for each other and to be in a title race against Manchester City for so long in the season, it’s a real compliment to the group.”

Meanwhile, Alex Baker is looking forward to breaking into the Under-23s set-up after penning a first professional contract with Rovers.

The teenage attacker has signed a contract through to June 2023 after impressing for Mike Sheron’s Under-18s last season, scoring six times and adding eight assists as they finished the season in fine form.

It’s been an excellent return from the 18-year-old who first arrived at the club aged six, having missed the first year of his scholarship with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Baker has already made his debut for the Under-23s, but is looking forward to become a mainstay of Billy Barr’s side next season as they look to build on their fourth-placed finish in Premier League 2.

He was one of five prospects to sign their first professional deals with Rovers, with Baker handed a two-year contract as reward for his progress.

“Playing for Blackburn Rovers is all I’ve ever known, so it’s great to sign and I’m just really excited for the next two years,” he said.

“I think the Under-18s performed well during the second half of the season and I was really happy to play my part in that. It was a group effort, the players and coaching staff together, and it was great to be involved in it.

“I’m really looking forward to being more involved with the Under-23s next season. It’s a lot different to youth football, but hopefully I can adapt to it quickly and I know that the hard work starts now.”