Blackburn Rovers defender joins club managed by ex-Academy graduate

Blackburn Rovers Academy defender Max Davies has joined Southport on a season-long loan.

The talented defender is highly rated at Ewood Park and will now gain some vital experience in the National League North. Davies has been a regular for Rovers in the Under-21s but is now ready for that next step of senior football.

Davies has had a small taste of first-team football previously during a loan spell at Warrington Rylands in October 2024.

However, this is the first significant loan of his young career, which will see him team up with another ex-Rover in Neil Danns. The Southport boss started his career at Rovers having come through the Academy too.

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Davies is excited by the opportunity in front of him and knows it will be a big learning experience. He could make his debut on Saturday when Southport host Fleetwood Town in a pre-season friendly.

"I am very excited. I've done a few sessions with the lads and they have been great," Davies said.

"They have all been great, speaking to me and helping me learn. They have welcomed me in and I'm very much looking forward to starting games. It's a new challenge for me to experience.

"It's a necessary step for any young lad. You learn different skills that you don't necessarily get in the Premier League 2.

"I will be learning all the things you can't from before. Every player wants to prove themselves at whatever level they play at. This one is no different.

"It's something you have to learn, it's different but I am looking forward to the challenge. I'm a ball-player, I like having possession but I also love defending, that's why I am a defender.

"I like to defend one-vs-one and deal with crosses in the box. I'm happy with all that too!"

Davies signed a long-term contract with Rovers in January 2026 which runs until the summer of 2029, with the option to extend by a further year.