Ritchie – who was born in Farnworth – has been with Wanderers since the age of six and progressed through the academy age groups to become a full-time scholar in the summer of 2024.

The 18-year-old has since been a leading light in the youth team and after a goal-scoring debut as a substitute for the first team in last November’s Vertu Trophy tie at Oldham Athletic has now been added early to the professional ranks.