Former QPR forward Rohan Vaughan 'has the potential to become a very good player' for Harrogate Town

The 20-year-old former QPR and Burnley forward has been on trial with the National League Sulphurites all summer, featuring in each of their first three pre-season friendlies.

A “big number nine” in his own words, free agent Vaughan has been deployed in a left-sided role and operated primarily as a wing-back during his brief spell in North Yorkshire, but has impressed sufficiently to earn himself a one-year contract, with the option for a further year.

And Weaver says he is pleased to have added a left-footer to his squad, and also excited to be able to tie down such a “promising” young talent.

"Rohan came in on trial and has done well, so we made him an offer,” Town’s manager told the Harrogate Advertiser.

"He is a centre-forward really, but such was our need for options down our left-hand side, we asked him to do a job for us there.

"We’ve assessed how he’s performed in that role and monitored his progress as we’ve pushed the fitness side of things.

"I think he is a really promising youngster. He has the potential to become a very good player.”

Having come through the ranks at Burnley and spent two years turning out for their Under-18s, Vaughan joined QPR’s Development Squad in May 2024.

He was sent out to gain some experience with League of Ireland outfit Dundalk at the start of the 2024/25 campaign, scoring five goals in 11 games as the Lilywhites were crowned Division One champions.

The Blackburn-born forward was then loaned to Oxford City during the second part of that season and went on to make three brief substitute appearances in National League North.

Last term, Vaughan linked up with seventh-tier Dartford, helping them reach the Isthmian League Premier Division play-offs.

In the short term, he appears set to drop down a league or two once again, with Town planning to loan him out in order that he get some more first-team minutes under his belt.

“We like Rohan’s attitude and potential,” said Lloyd Kerry, Harrogate’s Head of Player Recruitment.

“We see him as a forward who can be a real handful for defenders, but he’s played wing-back in pre-season and has a great left foot.

“He’s a player we think can develop a lot here and will be looking to find a loan move to enable him to gain more first-team experience.”

Relegated from League Two on the final day of 2025/26 after six years in the EFL, Town have been busy in the transfer market this summer as Weaver prepares for life back in the National League.

Vaughan becomes the seventh new arrival of the close season and follows goalkeeper Rory Watson, right-back Lewis Payne, midfielders Bailey Hobson, Will McGowan and Morgan Williams, and striker Ciaran McGuckin into Wetherby Road.