Joseph Olowu is delighted with the development of his game since first joining Rovers and is excited for the future after signing a new deal with the club.
The centre half has agreed a new two-and-a-half year contract, following Tom Anderson and Kyle Hurst in signing new deals at the Eco-Power Stadium in recent weeks.
Olowu initially arrived at Rovers on a trial basis after leaving Arsenal and has emerged as one of the most popular players in the squad.
“I think I’ve developed massively,” Olowu said. “If you go back almost two years, I wasn’t getting a sniff of anything from any EFL club but then I got this door opened and was given an opportunity.
“Now, I’m in a completely different position where I feel I’m establishing myself in the game a lot better. Hopefully my development keeps going up and I can keep progressing.
“I want to take it to even higher levels and just develop my game even more to become an even better player. I want more goals, more wins, more clean sheets and to challenge myself to take steps up and not be content with just sitting here complacent.
“They’ve given me another opportunity so I want to repay the trust and go again to become an even better player in the next two-and-a-half years.”
The 23-year-old has put behind him the facial injury that sidelined him during the first half of the campaign and is enjoying life in a Danny Schofield side.
“I’m glad to be back in the mix and just taking each game as it comes,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of games coming up thick and fast.
“It’s encouraging for us players because he is a manager that demands a lot from us. He doesn’t come in shouting and taking heads off - he gives you the confidence that you can go out and play with freedom as long as we’re doing what he wants us to do and being brave on the ball.
“For me, as a young player, having a manager that believes in me allows me to go out and express myself.”
Olowu has been a passionate participant in the club’s community work since his arrival and sees it as his duty to provide as much of a positive influence as possible.
He said: “On the pitch, that is my primary job and I have to make sure that everything is sorted on there. But away from that, I can try in any way, shape or form to influence and help other people and try to have a positive impact. It costs nothing to do and give back.”