We’re delighted to announce that forward Matty Gillam has extended his stay at the club.
The 19-year-old, whose contract was due to expire this summer, has signed a two-year deal.
Gillam, an Academy graduate, signed his first professional contract last summer, and has continued to impress during his first season as a pro.
The teenager featured twelve times for Dale during the 2017/18 campaign and scored his first league goal for the club on his first league start, away at Charlton Athletic in November.
Speaking after putting to paper, he commented: “I’m really happy to have been offered a new contract at the club and I’m pleased to have signed on for another two years. It’s a good feeling knowing I’ve made enough of an impact to get myself another deal.
“I’ve got to remember everything I’ve learned and all the experiences I’ve had this year and take them into next season. Scoring on my full league debut against Charlton was a really good moment for me, as was contributing as a sub towards the end of the season. It all counts and it all adds up.”
Speaking in his latest interview last week, Manager Keith Hill said of Gillam: “He deserves his opportunity. He definitely knows how to play my way and what’s expected of him.
“It’s a different scenario now, we’re back on zero points heading towards the beginning of a new League One season and he’s got a fair and equal opportunity of playing, but I want him to really, really push the boys in pre-season.
“It was a difficult scenario to put players in during that last 16 games of this season, and I was reluctant to change the personnel and the way we were doing things, but everything starts again on zero points and everybody has got an opportunity to play, and that includes Gilly.
“I’ve been impressed with what he’s done and he has done more than enough, and hopefully he will have a big impact in pre-season.”