Blackburn Rovers have announced their retained and released lists on their official club website, confirming that just one senior player will be leaving the club.
Blackburn Rovers defender Paul Downing has been confirmed as the only senior player to be released by the club upon the expiry of his contract at Ewood Park. Youngsters Jack Doyle, Lewis Mansell, Charlie Albinson, George Wilson and Kyle Connell will also be departing the club this summer.
Downing joined from MK Dons in the January transfer window of 2018, before being sent out on loan to League One side Doncaster in the January transfer window of 2019 after failing to nail down a place in the starting eleven upon their return to the Championship. He played 34 times for Rovers overall, with three of those coming this season.
The defender was a strong performer for Rovers in League One, and fans seem to be frustrated that he will be leaving the club this summer.
The club are in contract negotiations with Jack Rodwell, Craig Conway and Ben Gladwin. Rodwell is attracting interest from Italy and will look to consider his options before putting pen to paper – as will Conway.
Ben Gladwin is yet to make a Championship appearance for Rovers, having missed the entirety of this season due to a knee injury. But, with his contract expiring at the end of next month, Rovers seem keen to keep him at the club to give him a chance at second-tier football at Ewood Park.
The club have also confirmed they have exercised an option in Jason Leutwiler’s contract to extend his deal by a further year. The Canadian has struggled for game time at Ewood Park but featured more frequently towards the latter stages of the season.
Blackburn Rovers fans have had their say on the retained and released lists via Twitter.
Gladwin staying, but Downing leaving? pic.twitter.com/x5fPvgXs0j
— Cal🇨🇱🏴 (@Calum_BRFC) May 15, 2019
Why on earth are we trying to pay to keep Gladwin?
— Alex Lomax (@AlexLomax11) May 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/cwilkophoto/status/1128666624934981633
If downing going means Bauer comes in then I’m happy if not why are we letting him go ?
— Yaj (@Ku3O0z) May 15, 2019
This worries me about our summer transfer budget.
— Thomas Evans ♿ 🇺🇦 ❤ #SlavaUkraini (@ThomasEvansAdur) May 15, 2019
…I’d like Conway to stay… but Downing has definitely got to be kept…. Rodwell not done it for me…Gladwin tried; sorry but he and big Jason probably be better elsewhere…🔵⚪️🤙
— Dave Mac (@DavyMac630) May 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/MartinMJ22/status/1128662269963976706
