Last Updated: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:58
Blackburn have snapped up England youth international Jason Banton after the striker severed his ties with Arsenal.
The highly-rated 15-year-old had a fall out with the Gunners and has opted to leave the Emirates Stadium in favour of signing up with the Rovers academy.
The youngster is tipped to have a bright future and Rovers managing director Tom Finn is delighted to have signed him.
"Jason has signed with us and we are delighted to have him here," Finn told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. "He's a young England international, playing a year above his own age group.
"Obviously, it has been good to see some of our young players develop at the academy and make it through to the first team.
"That has happened over the last few years. We've seen Matt Derbyshire come through, and this season, Keith Treacy and Martin Olsson have been given opportunities at first-team level.
"These are players that have come through our system and been recognised by the first-team manager. It's good to see them getting that opportunity."