Blackburn sign Us youngster

Rovers seal deal to bring sought after 15-year-old to Ewood Park

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 12th January 2009

Blackburn sign Us youngster

Rovers: Sign talented youngster

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Blackburn have signed 15-year-old Cambridge United full-back Jackson Ramm after he agreed a two-year scholarship with the Premier League club.

Unsurprisingly given his young age, Ramm was yet to make an appearance for the Blue Square Premier side's first team.

This has not stopped a whole host of top-flight clubs coming to watch the right-back in action during Cambridge's run in the FA Youth Cup this season.

Scouts flocked to Cambridge after Ramm went on trial with Manchester United in the summer, representing them in a tournament hosted by Ajax and the Nike Cup.

"Interest soon followed after the Manchester United trial from a number of clubs and intensified during our FA Youth Cup run," Jez George, head of the club's youth system told the club's official website.

"Knowing Jackson's character, we feel he will grab this opportunity with both hands.

Professionalism

"The professionalism that we demand on and off the pitch has been embraced by Jackson throughout his time at Cambridge United and he demonstrates his desire to succeed in everything he does.

"Blackburn Rovers have a high regard for our scheme and have requested that Jackson continues to train with our scholars until the end of the season.

"He will join them full-time this summer to start his two-year scholarship."

With Cambridge competing outside the Football League they do not receive any funding from the authorities for developing their own players.

This also means that the club do not receive a compensation package when one of their talented youngsters gets snapped up before they can sign a professional contract.

But George explains that Blackburn have gone about the deal in a professional way and have offered to compensate Cambridge over the Ramm deal.

"Blackburn Rovers have shown great integrity and respect to speak directly to ourselves at all times and agreed a compensation package before approaching the player."