Blackburn Rovers winger Ryan Hedges is expected to stay at Ewood Park after the club triggered a one-year extension.
Hedges’ contract was set to expire this summer, but new manager Valerien Ismael made it clear that the Welshman was a part of his plans for the 2025/26 season.
Blackburn are one of the remaining clubs to release their retained list, however, the club’s list doesn’t have to be made public until June.
Hedges’ Career So Far
The 29-year-old started his career in the Everton Academy before joining Welsh outfit Leek Town in 2010. He spent three years playing with Leek in the Cymru Premier League, and then made the move to Swansea City’s academy.
He experienced loan spells at the likes of Leyton Orient, Stevenage and Yeovil Town, where he made over 50 appearances combined in three seasons.
He joined Championship outfit Barnsley on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee in 2017, where he spent three seasons. In his last season at Oakwell he experienced relegation, before moving to Scotland.
He also spent three years with Aberdeen, where he made 86 appearances and registered 35 goals and assists, which was enough to catch the eye of Championship side Blackburn in 2022.
Rovers reportedly paid a six-figure fee for the Welshman, who has gone onto make over 120 appearances in blue and white since.
He now looks to continue his journey at Ewood Park, reportedly signing a new one-year extension with views of signing a new long-term extension, according to the Lancashire Telegraph.
Praise From New Manager
Talking to the Lancashire Telegraph earlier this season, manager Ismael revealed he expects the 29-year-old to sign a new contract:
“I expected him to be here next season. I spoke with him already. So now I think it’s about the club to sort it out. I think he’s a player who’s got that energy, that intensity.
“With my way to play, it will be good for him. It’s about to get a good pre-season for all of them. If we’re able to go through that pre-season.
“Six, seven weeks of hard work together to get that intensity. Then I think we can get much more out of Ryan.”
Writer’s View
Although his recent seasons haven’t been ideal in terms of goal contributions, you have to take into account the long-term injury as well as his position change, which are probably the main reasons behind his lack of goals and assists in recent years.
Hedges has shown glimpses of quality this season, and now with public backing from Ismael, he might be able to kick on next season. A new one-year contract makes sense from all parties’ points of view, as it allows the Welshman to have security over his career, as well as the fact that the club will have plenty of time to negotiate a longer-term deal, as reported.
