The 2015/16 season featured four current members of Aberdeen’s U20 Development League squad make their first team debuts, along with Youth Academy and Development League graduate Michael Rose.

Scott McKenna, Joe Nuttall, Daniel Harvie, Connor McLennan and Michael Rose all featured prominently for the U20 side throughout the season which led to Derek McInnes rewarding all five with their senior debuts:
 

Scott McKenna
Scott made his debut coming on as a substitute for Simon Church in the 88th minute at McDiarmid Park in the 4-3 win over St. Johnstone on the 6th of February. Scott continued to captain the U20 squad for the remainder of the season and also went on to make his first start for the first team in the 1-0 defeat to Hearts at Pittodrie last month, being named the sponsor’s man of the match in the process. Another start against Ross County followed in what will hopefully be the first of many appearances for the centre-half, after putting pen to paper on a contract extension until the summer of 2018 earlier this season.

Joe Nuttall
Joe’s debut season for Aberdeen concluded with him coming off the bench for the final two games of the season to make his first senior appearances in club football. Despite his first season with the Dons being slightly disrupted by injuries, Joe still managed to notch 11 goals for the Development League side in what was a promising campaign from the former Man City striker.

Daniel Harvie
Daniel made his first team debut as a substitute against Partick Thistle in the 2-1 victory at Firhill in March and also made one other appearance in the final game of the season versus Ross County. An excellent season at left back has seen Daniel involved in numerous first team squads and at the ripe age of 17, the left back has ample time on his side to break into the first team on a permanent basis. 

Connor McLennan
Connor became one of Aberdeen’s youngest ever debutants at 16 years, 7 months and 17 days old when he replaced Niall McGinn in the 3-0 loss to St. Johnstone in late April. The young striker from Peterhead struggled with injuries earlier this season, however has since went on to impress for Paul Sheerin’s U20 side and has also represented Scotland U17’s in the UEFA European Championships.

Michael Rose
Michael graduated from the U20 squad at the end of last season, becoming part of the first team squad after signing a one year contract for the 2015/16 season. The ball playing centre-back made his competitive debut, like Connor, in the 3-0 defeat to St. Johnstone. Despite starting the game, an unfortunate injury meant that Michael had to be replaced at half-time.

A further seven AFC Youth Academy graduates featured for the first team this season including Craig Storie who cemented his place within the first team squad. With the players due back for pre-season in the near future we look forward to seeing the development of each of the young debutants this season.