Young Blackburn Rovers defender George Pratt has signed his first professional contract with the club, after impressing the coaching staff during his two-year apprenticeship.
The towering centre-back has put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal, keeping him at Ewood Park until June 2024.
Pratt joined the club in May 2019 and played a key part in Rovers Under-18s’ run to the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup last season – scoring in the third round tie away to Birmingham City – as well as helping Ryan Kidd’s side secure a fifth-place Premier League finish.
The 18-year old also made the successful step up to Mike Sheron’s Under-23s, whilst also enjoying a short loan spell at Northern Premier League side Hyde United.
“Casting my mind back to playing grassroots football just a few years ago, to where I am now, it’s hard to find the words to describe just how good the feeling is,” he told the club website.
“It’s been three years and I feel I’ve progressed quite well to go from playing grassroots to earning a professional contract, it’s not something that happens too often.
“The last year in particular has been brilliant and there’s been a lot of positives for me to take. I’ve featured quite a bit for the Under-23s and it’s been good to play with and against some more experienced players.
“I think the only disappointment is not getting further in the FA Youth Cup. I really did feel we had a great chance of going all the way in that competition.
“In the league, we were flying high for the first half of the campaign and I think there was always going to be a little drop off, with a few of the lads moving up to the Under-23s and helping the team stay up. It’s been great for everyone’s development though to get that chance.
“The hard work continues for me now. I can’t let up now I’ve signed the deal. This is the stepping stone for people to see what I can do and to create an impression on everyone at the club.”
