By Blackburn Rovers FC
Rovers are delighted to announce that promising defender Leo Duru has signed a new long-term contract with the club.
The 19-year-old full-back has signed an extended deal through to June 2026, with the option of an extra 12 months.
With the club since Under-10s, Duru has progressed through Rovers’ Academy ranks to the fringes of the first team, being on the bench for four Championship fixtures during the 2023-24 campaign.
He was also a standout performer for Rovers Under-21s, who reached the Premier League 2 play-offs after an impressive second half of the season.
“It’s a great feeling, knowing that the hard work that you’ve done all season is getting positively seen by other people and you’re getting rewarded for it,” he said.
“So it’s a really nice feeling to finally put pen to paper and make that next step in my career.
“I think making the bench a couple of times and making the step up from Under-18s football to Under-21s football this year has been really, really good.
“I think I’ve made a positive impact on the Under-21s team.
“I scored my first goal (against Nottingham Forest) and got a lot of assists as well, from the right-back or right wing-back position, so I think it’s been a positive season for me.
“There’s still a lot of things to work on, but I think I’ve done well and I think I’ve put myself in a good place with the club.
“I’m starting to show what I’m capable of and starting to show how I can be a positive to the first team, in terms of the attributes I can bring to help to win games.”
Congratulations, Leo!
