Manchester City prospect Francis-Jones joins Blackburn Rovers on dual-registration basis | OneFootball

Young Manchester City full-back Maria Francis-Jones has joined FA Women’s Championship club Blackburn Rovers on a dual-registration basis.

The Welsh Under-19 international will spend the remainder of the season with Blackburn Rovers according to reports on the Lancashire club’s official website. Parent club Manchester City are thought to have an option to field Francis-Jones in their WSL Academy League matches should they wish to do so.

Francis-Jones is yet to make her senior debut for The Cityzens but she is highly-rated by the Barclays FA Women’s Super League club. The youngster has made four appearances for Manchester City’s WSL Academy League side in this season’s competition.

After completing her move to The Sir Tom Finney Stadium, Francis-Jones said “I’m really happy to be signing for Blackburn Rovers.

“It’s a different challenge for me, from being at City Academy to now being in a senior set-up – it’s a different environment.

“I’m looking forward to keep learning over the coming months.”

Francis-Jones could go straight into the Blackburn Rovers squad for their FA Women’s Championship fixture against Watford on Sunday. Gemma Donnelly’s side travel to The Orbital Fasteners Stadium looking to put an end to a six-match winless streak in the league which dates back to the end of October.