The 2025–26 season was the 138th season in the history of Blackburn Rovers Football Club and their eighth consecutive season in the Championship. In addition to the domestic league, the club participated in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup.
Season summary May On 19 May 2025, Blackburn announced their retained list. The club confirmed they activated the one-year option in the contract of Ryan Hedges. Under-21s players Harrison Wood, Zack Stritch and Adam Khan were also informed that the club had taken up the option to extend their contract by a further year. Tyrhys Dolan, Danny Batth, Andi Weimann, Jake Batty and Felix Goddard were offered new contracts while Lorenze Mullarkey-Matthews was offered his first professional contract.
Dilan Markanday, Jack Vale, Zak Gilsenan, Patrick Gamble, Tom Bloxham, Jordan Eastham, Rhys Doherty, Isaac Whitehall, Jalil Saadi, Alex Baker, Adam Caddick, Paul Murphy-Worrell, Lewis Bell, Bradley Taylor, Jackson Shorrocks, Nathan Willis, Stephen Edmondson and Teddy Ramwell were not retained by the club upon the expiration of their current agreements. The club kept close contact with Adam Forshaw.
June On 4 June 2025, Rovers announced u21 goalkeeper Felix Goddard had signed a new 2-year contract until 2027, with the option of a further 12 months.
On 19 June 2025, Rovers announced Adam Forshaw had re-joined the club on a 1-year contract.
July
On 1 July 2025, Rovers announced Jake Batty had signed a new contract until 2026 with the option of a further 12 months.
On 2 July 2025, Rovers announced u21 midfielder Lorenze Mullarkey-Matthews had signed his first professional contract until 2026.
On 7 July 2025, Rovers announced highly regarded defender Silver Eze had signed a two-year scholarship with the club. Rovers also announced David Odogun had joined as a scholar from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
On 14 July 2025, it was confirmed that first team coach David Lowe would be leaving the club.
On 23 July 2025, it was announced Rovers had appointed Nacho Sancho, who is a strength and conditioning coach. Sancho replaced Karl Hodges, Lead Sports Scientist, who left to join Derby County.
August On 12 August 2025, Rovers announced highly rated young goalkeeper Nicholas Michalski has committed his long-term future to the club, new four-year contract at Ewood Park through to June 2029, with a one-year option.
On 15 August 2025, Rovers announced Paul Butler will be the new Under-18s Lead Coach for the upcoming season, He'll be assisted by Ryan Kidd and takes over the role from Darragh Tuffy, who steps up as the new Under-21s assistant coach to support the long-serving Mike Sheron, who'll continue as Under-21s Lead Coach for the coming campaign.
September On 3 September 2025, Rovers announced u18 defender Silver Eze had signed his 1st professional contract until 2028, Rovers also announced former forward Jordan Rhodes had rejoined the club as a loan manager.
On 19 September 2025, Rovers announced under 21 head coach Mike Sheron had left the club.
October
November On 10 November 2025, Rovers announced the appointment of Grégory Vignal as the under 21 head coach, it was confirmed Danny Ventre as a set piece coach.
December
January On 28 January 2026, Rovers announced u21 defender Max Davies had signed a contract until 2029, with the option of a further 12 months.
February On 2 February 2026, Blackburn announced Valérien Ismaël had left his position as head coach by mutual consent along with assistant head coach Dean Whitehead. Damien Johnson was placed in temporary charge.
On 13 February 2026, Blackburn announced the appointment of Michael O'Neill as head coach on a short term deal, He took charge of first team matters at the club while continuing in his role as Northern Ireland manager. O'Neill brought in Phil Jones and Steven Davis as new first team coaches. Damien Johnson continued as first team technical coach and head of player development.
On 20 February 2026, Rovers announced u18 midfielder Isaac Dunn had signed his first professional contract until 2028, with the option of a further 12 months.
On 26 February 2026, Rovers announced u18 forward Harvey Higgins had signed his first professional contract until 2028, with the option of a further 12 months.
March On 24 March 2026, Rovers announced u18 midfielder Frank Vare had signed his first professional contract until 2028, with the option of a further 12 months.
April On 28 April 2026, Rovers announced winger Jayden Sergeant had signed his first professional contract until 2028, with the option of a further 12 months.
On 29 April 2026, Rovers announced midfielder Freddie Leatherbarrow had signed his first professional contract until 2028, with the option of a further 12 months.
May On 2 May 2026, Ryōya Morishita was voted Player of the Season, Balázs Tóth was voted Players Player of the Season, Tom Atcheson won Young Player of the Season, Yūki Ōhashi was voted Junior Rovers Player of the Season and Adam Forshaw's goal against Stoke City was voted Goal of the Season.
On 6 May 2026, Rovers announced defender Michael Decandia had signed his first professional contract until 2028, with the option of a further 12 months.
On 11 May 2026, Rovers announced defender Harvey Pates had signed his first professional contract until 2028, with the option of a further 12 months. Rovers also announced u21 head coach Grégory Vignal had left his role.
On 12 May 2026, Rovers announced head coach Michael O'Neill would not be extending his current agreement to become the club's permanent Head Coach beyond the conclusion of his existing period with the club.
On 19 May 2026, Rovers announced midfielder Tyler Mansbridge had signed his first professional contract until 2027, with the option of a further 12 months.
Backroom staff
Senior football
Academy football
First-team squad Players and squad numbers last updated on 19 May 2025. List is representative of players who have made an appearance for the first-team this season and of information available on Rovers.co.uk.
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. No. Pos. Nat. Name Date of birth & age Year joined Contract expires Joined from Other Ref Goalkeepers 34GKJack Barrett 20242027 (+1) Everton On loan at Tranmere Rovers, Option for 12-month extension 37GKFelix Goddard 20202027 (+1)Academy Option for 12-month extension 35GKNicholas Michalski 20232029 (+1)Academy Option for 12-month extension 1GKAynsley Pears 20202027 Middlesbrough 22GKBalázs Tóth 20242027 Fehérvár Defenders 38DFTom Atcheson 20232030Academy 2DFRyan Alebiosu 20252028 (+1) Kortrijk Option for 12-month extension 17DFHayden Carter 20142027Academy 20DFEiran Cashin 20262026 Brighton & Hove Albion On loan. 40DF Matty Litherland 20112027 (+1)Academy Option for 12-month extension 15DFSean McLoughlin 20252027 (+1) Hull City Option for 12-month extension 12DFLewis Miller 20252028 (+1) Hibernian Option for 12-month extension. 26DFConnor O'Riordan 20242028 Crewe Alexandra 3DFHarry Pickering 20212027 (+1) Crewe Alexandra Option for 12-month extension 44DFBrandon Powell 20222027 (+1)Academy On loan at Barrow, Option for 12-month extension 43DF George Pratt 20212030Academy 4DF Yuri Ribeiro 20252027 (+1) Braga Option for 12-month extension 16DFScott Wharton 20102028 (+1)Academy Option for 12-month extension Midfielders 24MFMoussa Baradji 20252026 Yverdon Sport On loan with an option for the move to be made permanent. 10MFTodd Cantwell 20242027 Rangers 14MFDion De Neve 20252028 (+1) Kortrijk Option for 12-month extension. 36MFJames Edmondson 20112027Academy On loan at Macclesfield 28MFAdam Forshaw 20252027 Plymouth Argyle 30MFJake Garrett 20132027Academy 5MFTaylor Gardner-Hickman 20262027 Birmingham City On loan with an option for the move to be made permanent. 18MFAxel Henriksson 20252029 (+1) GAIS Option for 12-month extension 31MFKristi Montgomery 20132026 (+1)Academy Option for 12-month extension 25MFRyōya Morishita20252028 (+1) Legia Warsaw Option for 12-month extension 41MFLorenze Mullarkey-Matthews 2014Academy. 8MFSidnei Tavares 20252028 Moreirense 6MFSondre Tronstad 20232026 Vitesse 53MFFrank Vare 20242028 (+1)Academy Option for 12-month extension Forwards 21FWDapo Afolayan20262027 St Pauli 52FWNathan Dlamini20232026 Aston Villa 47FWAodhan Doherty 20242027 Linfield 11FWAndri Guðjohnsen 2025 Gent 19FWRyan Hedges 20222026 Aberdeen 29FWMathias Jørgensen 20262029 (+1) Bodø/Glimt Option for 12-month extension 54FW Valentin Joseph 20242026Academy 7FWAugustus Kargbo20252027 Cesena 23FWYūki Ōhashi20242027 (+1) Sanfrecce Hiroshima Option for 12-month extension 27FWNathan Redmond20262026 Sheffield Wednesday 32FW Igor Tyjon 20232026Academy
Transfers and contracts In DatePos.PlayerFromFeeRef. 10 June 2025 LM Dion De Neve Kortrijk £800,000 20 June 2025 CM Sidnei Tavares Moreirense £2,000,000 1 July 2025 CM Finley Wilkinson Accrington Stanley Free Transfer 7 July 2025 RB David Odogun Wolverhampton Wanderers Free Transfer 10 July 2025 RB Ryan Alebiosu Kortrijk £500,000 19 July 2025 CB Sean McLoughlin Hull City £500,000 4 August 2025 RB Lewis Miller Hibernian £1,000,000 6 August 2025 CAM Axel Henriksson GAIS £1,500,000 25 August 2025 LM Ryōya Morishita Legia Warsaw £1,700,000 31 August 2025 CF Andri Guðjohnsen Gent £1,700,000 15 January 2026 CF Mathias Jørgensen Bodø/Glimt £3,500,000 1 February 2026 RW Dapo Afolayan St Pauli undisclosed 2 February 2026 LW Osman Kamara Arsenal Free Transfer 27 March 2026 RW Nathan Redmond Free Agent Free Transfer Expenditure: ~ £13,200,000
Out DatePos.PlayerToFeeRef. 11 July 2025 CM Joe Rankin-Costello Charlton Athletic £1,000,000 4 August 2025 RB Callum Brittain Middlesbrough £3,500,000 26 August 2025 CM John Buckley Al-Kholood £1,000,000 27 August 2025 CDM Lewis Travis Derby County £3,000,000 1 September 2025 CF Harry Leonard Peterborough United £1,000,000 1 September 2025 CB Dominic Hyam Wrexham £2,700,000 13 January 2026 CF Makhtar Gueye Shanghai Shenhua £1,800,000 2 February 2026 CB Charlie Olson Altrincham Free Transfer 2 February 2026 LB Jake Batty Swindon Town Undisclosed 4 February 2026 GK Solomon Honor Manchester United Undisclosed Income: ~ £14,000,000
Loaned in DatePos.PlayerFromDate untilRef. 22 August 2025 CM Moussa Baradji Yverdon Sport 31 May 2026 1 September 2025 CM Taylor Gardner-Hickman Birmingham City 6 January 2026 CB Eiran Cashin Brighton & Hove Albion
Loaned out DatePos.PlayerToDate untilRef. 27 June 2025 CB Connor O'Riordan Doncaster Rovers 2 January 2026 11 August 2025 CB Charlie Olson Oldham Athletic 2 January 2026 20 August 2025 RB Leo Duru San Diego 7 March 2026 1 September 2025 GK Jack Barrett Tranmere Rovers 31 May 2026 2 September 2025 CM Harley O'Grady-Macken Oldham Athletic 1 January 2026 4 September 2025 CM James Edmondson Macclesfield 31 May 2026 6 September 2025 CB George Pratt Chorley 8 November 2025 7 October 2025 RW Harrison Wood Warrington Rylands 31 May 2026 10 October 2025 CM Patrik Farkas Prescot Cables 11 January 2026 14 November 2025 CF Joe Boggan FC United of Manchester 11 December 2025 CF Jayden Sergeant Bootle GK Blake Wolsoncroft Hyde United 29 January 2026 LB Brandon Powell Barrow 31 May 2026 24 February 2026 CAM Zack Stritch Curzon Ashton 7 March 2026 RB Leo Duru Birmingham Legion 30 June 2026 27 March 2026 CM Harley O'Grady-Macken Radcliffe 31 May 2026
Released / Out of Contract