AFC Fylde are delighted to announce the loan signing of Patrick Gamble who joins on a season-long loan from Championship side Blackburn Rovers.

The 20-year-old joins from John Eustace’s side and becomes Chris Beech’s second loan signing of the summer following Ben Winterbottom joining the club late last month.

Gamble is a young defender who is capable of playing both as a centre half and right full-back.

After joining Rovers’ academy at under 7’s, Gamble has featured predominantly for the Championship side’s Under 18’s and Under 21’s, featuring 32 times for the 21’s.

He captained his side to a fifth placed finish in the U18’s Premier League as well as helping Rovers reach the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup in 2022.

He also made his debut for the first team in the Carabao Cup last year during an 8-0 win against League Two side Harrogate Town, before being named on the bench 14 times in the Sky Bet Championship last campaign.

Speaking ahead of his move to Mill Farm, Gamble said: “I’m really happy to be on board. After speaking to Chris (Beech) and Nick (Anderton), it’s a great opportunity for me to come here and play men’s football and help the team get to where they want to be.

“I’ve been at Blackburn for 13 years so it’s all I’ve ever known really – so it’s good to get a change of environment and see what things are like somewhere else and explore a little bit.

“It’s also good to move from 21’s football into men’s football where getting wins and points are a lot more important so it’s a really exciting time for me.”

Head Coach Chris Beech also added: “We’re really pleased to add Patrick Gamble to the squad as it’s another signing we’re delighted to complete, adding more defensive capabilities and options to our National League Campaign.

“We thank Stuart Jones and Blackburn Rovers for entrusting us with one of their talented younger players, a player they have very high hopes for.

“Patrick picked up some excellent experience last season, being in and around the matchday squad on a regular basis. The Blackburn under 21’s captain understands he needs to work hard to earn a place in our team and get the minutes he wants as he’s now at a crucial age where he needs to be playing first-team football.

“He’s very capable on the ball with his receiving and releasing skills with a strong defensive mindset which will help progress both our team and his career during his experiences here at AFC Fylde.

“Blackburn Rovers academy is a credit to all involved past and present, consistently developing players both for their first team and other clubs benefitting from their work. After knowing and working in the past over the years with both Ryan Kidd within their U18’s, and Mike Sheron within their U23’s, it doesn’t surprise me the amount of talent they produce off the conveyor belt.

“I think Patrick’s experiences here will put him in a better position in the long run to become another one of Blackburn’s successful academy talents.”

Everyone at AFC Fylde welcomes Patrick to Mill Farm and wishes him all the best ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.