Blackburn Rovers have signed 18-year-old English defender Alfie Rice from Notts County after a compensation agreement was reached. The left-footed centre-back, who developed in the youth system at the Magpies and also had a spell with West Brom's Under-18s earlier this year, has signed a three-year contract at Ewood Park. The player told RoversTV that the transfer had been planned for a few months before happening suddenly a few weeks ago, and he was attracted by the club's history and the opportunities it provides for academy players. Rice will initially join Paul Butler's Under-18s squad. He made 3 appearances in the U18 Premier League during the 2026 season.