--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-07-24T19:44:47.201Z last_updated: 2026-07-24T07:33:26+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/blackburn-rovers/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGFuY2FzaGlyZXRlbGVncmFwaC5jby51ay9zcG9ydC8yNjQwNTg2Mi5ibGFja2J1cm4tcm92ZXJzLWNvbXBsZXRlLWRlYWwtYnJpZ2h0b24tZ29hbGtlZXBlci8_cmVmPXJzcw --- # Blackburn Rovers complete free transfer deal for Brighton goalkeeper - **Source:** - **Published:** 24 Jul - **Club:** Blackburn Rovers - **Original URL:** https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/26405862.blackburn-rovers-complete-deal-brighton-goalkeeper/?ref=rss Blackburn Rovers have completed the free transfer of Academy goalkeeper Finley Taylor from Brighton & Hove Albion. The 18-year-old has signed a professional contract at Ewood Park which runs until 2028, with the option of a further year. Taylor came through the ranks with the Seagulls, having been with the club from Under-13s until his exit. Taylor spent time on trial with Rovers last season and has now penned a pro deal, marking an exciting new chapter at the club. He was relieved when he got the call that Rovers wanted to sign him permanently, having enjoyed his brief spell at the club last term. READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers transfer patience wearing thinner after exposed squad imbalance "I'm really excited to get started," he told RoversTV. "Training has been really good. We've been working really hard in the sessions and it's been really fun, really enjoyable. "At the end of last season, I came on trial, played against Man Utd and it was a good game. A tough game against Man Utd, obviously, one of the best teams in England. "Then I came back for the last three weeks of the season and played two more games against Everton and Sunderland. They were really good games. I played really well in them. "After that, I found out I got signed. It was just a phone call and it was a massive relief because, obviously, when you leave a club before, it's quite nerve-wracking; you don't know what to expect. So to get that call was a massive relief." READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers' Ash Phillips sell-on clause after Tottenham Hotspur exit links Rovers' record of developing young talent was a driving factor for Taylor. He spent time at other clubs but it was at Rovers where he felt the most settled and could see a clear pathway through to the first team. "It's massive because if you're just hanging around and no one's there for you, you kind of get lost in the crowd a bit," he insisted. "But when you feel like someone's really trying to push you and make you better, it's a really good feeling and it makes you want to get better as well, to give it back to them. "Especially Matt and Chris, they really push me and always give me information to improve and stuff and that's what I want. It's really good for my development and making me a better goalie."