HIGHLY rated teenage goalkeeper David Raya is set to celebrate signing a new long-term contract with Blackburn Rovers by making his first senior start at Ewood Park.

The 19-year-old last night put pen to paper on a three-year deal tying him to the club until the summer of 2018.

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The Spanish stopper joined Rovers three years ago from Barcelona-based club UE Cornella.

He swiftly progressed through the U18s and U21s ranks at Brockhall before spending a successful loan spell in the Conference Premier with Southport earlier this season.

Raya returned to Rovers in January and made his first-team debut in the 3-0 win at Leeds United on Easter Saturday.

And tomorrow he is in contention to play in the final game of the Championship campaign at home to Ipswich Town.

Raya said: “Working hard has paid off for me because I made my debut a couple of weeks ago and now I’ve signed my second pro contract for Blackburn, so I’m very happy.

“It has been a great year for me. I’ve grown up as a player and as a person. I went on loan to Southport, which was a really good experience, playing regularly at a good level.

“Then, my debut against Leeds, walking off that pitch with a 3-0 win and keeping a clean sheet and playing well, it was a great feeling. The next step for me is to try and get a regular place in the team and play as many games as I can.”