Rovers have continued securing the future of their young talents by extending the services of another under-21s goalkeeper, in Joe Hilton, who has committed his future to the Ewood Park side.
The ex-Everton youth goalkeeper, who joined Rovers in the summer of 2019 after leaving Merseyside has signed a new deal to remain in East Lancashire until the summer of 2025.
Whilst the 23-year-old shot-stopper has yet to make an appearance on the hallowed turf of Ewood Park, Hilton – alongside fellow contract extender Jordan Eastham – have both been battling for the number one shirt in the under-21s and have both impressed the powers that be enough to earn new deals.
Hilton, who has spent ten first-team games as the backup goalkeeper due to injury to Thomas Kaminski and the rise of Aynsley Pears has earned valuable first-team experience being around the main squad and training with them, both during the week and in the warm-up to matchdays.
Whilst also gaining important developmental experience playing in the youth levels at Ewood Park, Hilton has also four separate loan spells in his young career, including one whilst at Everton at Marine, which has hastened his development as a young goalie. Spells at a variety of levels, including Fleetwood Town, Ross County and Hamilton Academical have all gone a long way into shaping Hilton into the goalkeeper that Rovers have placed faith in.
After securing his future, Hilton spoke about his ambitions and the camaraderie of the goalkeeping department with RoversTV.
“It feels great! It’s been a good season so far, a lot of hard work’s gone into it and I’ve really enjoyed the campaign.
“I feel like I’ve made a lot of progress with the help of Ben Benson, (Goalkeeping Coach), who’s been here the whole time I’ve been here. I have a good relationship with him and I feel this is the right place for me to develop my career and to make an impact.
“I’ve been on loan a few times and it’s been great for me to go out and get games, being in and around a first-team environment.
“I’ve matured a lot since I’ve come here and I feel it’s shown through my abilities and feeling a lot better in myself.
“We have a great group of goalkeepers and coaches here, everyone wants the best for one another. It helps your progress.
“I hope I can really push on now and I want to make a name for myself.”
Congratulations, Joe!
