Centre-back Shane Blaney is enjoyed his first taste of life as a professional footballer - and says the team spirit at Rovers has helped him settle in quickly.
The teenager penned a two-and-a-half year contract earlier in the week, and is has been impressed by the facilities open to him at the club’s Cantley Park truing ground.
He added “I was here for a week at the start of November, which was brilliant and I really enjoyed it. From then I was dying to get over and get started.
“I had a trial at Stoke City a few years back and Derby County last year, they were great experiences too but this is the most welcoming group I’ve come across.
“It is a huge change, the facilities are massive. I was part-time so to be full-time now is a big difference. So I need to adapt to that in the next few weeks and crack on from there.”
The left-sided centre-back is hopeful of getting some game time for the Development side this season, but reckons his first taste of a pre-season in the professional game will make a huge difference.
He added: “Pre-season is the big one, I’m looking forward to doing everything - getting stuck in, working hard, and seeing what happens. I’ve probably never done any of this properly, so I’m looking forward to using these facilities to get as fit and strong as I can and hopefully it’ll show on the pitch.
“I feel I’m at a good age, it might have been daunting a few years back. But I’ve done all my studying now and this is what I want to do, so it’s a perfect time to come across.”