Rochdale AFC academy player Jordan Scanlon offered professional contract

Jordan Scanlon

Rochdale AFC academy player Jordan Scanlon has signed his first professional contract with the club.

The 18-year-old has put pen to paper on a one-year deal, effective from 1 July, with a one-year option.

Scanlon, came through the youth ranks at the club, having joined the academy at under-14 level.

He played regularly for Dale’s under-18s during the 2021/22 campaign, whilst gaining experience training with the first team. He was named on the bench for the games against Exeter City and Bristol Rovers towards the end of the season.

“I’m over the moon that this has happened. I couldn’t appreciate it any more,” said Scanlon.

“I know that the hard work continues now. I’ve realised what the standard is like and how you have to train each day and the fitness levels that are required, so I need to make sure that everything is up to standard [when I come back for pre-season].”

Speaking last week when delivering his season review, manager Robbie Stockdale said: “Jordan has been training with the first team for some time now.

“He is a midfielder/ forward. The biggest compliment I can give him is that he doesn’t look out of place in first team training.

“He has a little bit of bite about him and he’s not afraid to mix it physically with the players, although there’s work for him to do there.”