Rovers' youth teams, aged from under nine to under 16, will use the top-level facilities at the stadium for training and matches to build further on a blossoming partnership between the two camps.

It means the whole club will now use the grass pitches and astroturf training facilities at the Lakeside complex.

Centre of Excellence Manager, Paul Wilson said: "It will help us to develop the youth of Doncaster by using the state-of-the-art facilities at the Keepmoat Stadium."

Chief executive Dave Morris said: "The fact our youth teams will be based at the Keepmoat from next season acts to further strengthen the club's identity with the stadium and for the young players training in its shadow we hope it will inspire them to make the step up ultimately to the first team squad.

"The Centre of Excellence players have been using a mix of the training ground and various schools across the borough to play and practice so it is good for them to have a professional base for them to train out of and it is another section of Doncaster Rovers that is now housed at the Keepmoat Stadium."

Gavin Baldwin, chief executive of the Keepmoat Stadium Management Company (SMC), also endorsed the agreement.

"It is a significant step for both the club and us as a service provider," he said.

"We have a strong relationship with Rovers and the standard of facilities that the young players can now call home shows the club and the stadium are moving quickly and smoothly in the right direction together.

"Promotion was a fantastic achievement for the club and it means both Rovers and the Keepmoat Stadium are where they rightfully belong in the Championship."

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