BLACKBURN ROVERS HAVE announced the loan signing of Ireland underage international Jack Byrne.
The 20-year-old joins the Championship club on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City and will continue his footballing development in England’s second tier.
Byrne enjoyed a successful spell with Dutch side Cambuur last year, scoring four goals in 27 games in the Eredivisie.
His performances caught the eye and in March he was called up to train with the Ireland senior squad ahead of the friendlies against Slovakia and Switzerland.
The Dubliner is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s most exciting young prospects and was likened to Paul Scholes by former Man City elite development squad manager Patrick Vieira.
He becomes Owen Coyle’s fifth summer signing and will join up with his new team-mates for pre-season training on Friday.
Byrne has been on the books at Man City since the age of 15 after he was spotted playing for St Kevin’s Boys, the former club of Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick.
During the 2014/15 season, he scored six goals in eight Uefa Youth League games for City while his passing ability can also see him operate in a holding midfield role.
Ireland defender Shane Duffy Anthony Stokes and Byrne’s U21 team-mate Darragh Lenihan are all part of the first-team squad at Ewood Park.
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