Midfielder Liam Trotter has joined Millwall on a three-month loan. The 18-year-old, who made his senior debut as a sub at Plymouth on the final day of last season, has also signed a two-year professional deal with the Blues.
Trotter, who joined the academy from Bury Town, told the club site: "The gaffer called me into his office this afternoon and told me that the club was offering me a two-year deal.
"It came completely out of the blue, but I had no hesitation in agreeing and the whole thing was done in an hour.
"It was my last year as a scholar, so there was a bit of concern on my part as to what would happen at the end of the season, but now that's been cleared up and I'm delighted."
Former Town coach Willie Donachie is assistant to Nigel Spackman at the Den and Trotter sees the switch as an important progression in his career: "Willie asked the club if I could go there on loan and Jim said it would be a good move for me.
"It's the next step for me now, playing regular league football, and I'm really looking forward to it."
Boss Jim Magilton says that Trotter fully deserves his deal: "Liam has done well in the reserves and we're delighted to have offered him his first professional contract.
"Now he needs to go out in the big, wide world of football and get some first team experience.
"You can't beat playing games week-in, week-out for a young player's development and it's the next logical step for his career."
Town have the option of recalling Trotter, a member of the 2005 FA Youth Cup-winning side, after a month.