Blackburn Rovers midfielder Zak Gilsenan will leave the club at the end of his contract this summer, bringing an injury-blighted spell at Ewood Park to a close.
The club had the option to extend Gilsenan’s deal by a further year but have chosen not to activate it, marking the end of a journey that began when he joined Rovers at Under-16 level. Despite showing promise in his early years, a series of serious injuries have curtailed his development and ultimately led to his release.
Blackburn Spell Marred By Injury
Gilsenan’s time in Lancashire was marred by setbacks, most notably an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that kept him out for almost a full year shortly after signing his first professional contract. Though he returned to training and earned minutes with the senior team, including goals in Carabao Cup ties against Walsall and Harrogate, further thigh issues followed and significantly disrupted his progress.
In November 2023, the Irish-Australian midfielder resumed training with the Under-23s and looked set for a loan move in January to regain match sharpness. However, just as he prepared for that opportunity, he was dealt another blow—requiring surgery and facing yet another long spell on the sidelines.
Earlier this year, Gilsenan spoke candidly about his struggles, revealing the emotional toll his injuries had taken.
“I thought this would be my breakthrough year, where I can really show fans and all the staff what I can do,” he said. “And then not getting the chance to be able to do that and show people what I can do has been really tough.”
He added:
“I’ve been playing football since I was three and when that’s taken away from you, it’s almost a gap you can’t really fill. So having the right people around me every day has definitely helped.”
Gilsenan will remain with the club for the immediate future as he continues his rehabilitation, but once fit, he will begin the search for a new chapter in his career.
Writer’s View
Zak Gilsenan’s departure is a sad but unsurprising outcome after such a frustrating few years. Injuries can derail even the most talented prospects, and Gilsenan never had the run of fitness needed to make a true breakthrough at Rovers.
Credit must go to the club for supporting him through multiple rehabilitation phases, and Gilsenan’s openness in discussing the psychological impact of long-term injuries speaks volumes about his maturity.
While his time at Ewood Park ends in disappointment, his story is far from over. A fully fit Gilsenan could still have a bright future in the game—hopefully with a club that can give him the platform to rebuild.
