Statoil is the exclusive Aberdeen Football Club ‘Talent Partner’ with the emphasis specifically on the future development of elite youth players through the AFC Youth Academy. The Statoil “Heroes of Tomorrow” sponsorship concept supports talented young people, not just in sport but also in culture and education to help them achieve their ambitions. The Statoil Young Talent and Talent of the Month awards are awarded to players who show an exceptionally high standard of talent during Academy training sessions and matches at club and international level.

The August Statoil Young Talent of the Month Award was presented to Under 12s defender, Finlay Murray.  Finlay, who joined the Academy last season from Stonehaven Youth FC has continued to show a real desire to learn and develop his potential at the club.  August has not only seen him perform to a high standard at Club Academy Scotland level, it has also been a month when he has played up at the Under 13s and was part of the Under 12s squad who travelled to the MVC Top D Tournament in Holland.  It’s very fitting that Finlay started his football development with Stonehaven Youth, who refer to themselves as the ‘Dortmund of the North’ whilst wearing similar strips to the top German side.  In only a matter of months since joining Aberdeen FC, Finlay saw himself earn the Man of the Match pennant in the game against Borussia Dortmund’s Under 12s on the last weekend of August. 
 
Finlay’s performances during August have seen him play at both centre back and right back and he played in every minute in all six matches whilst over in Holland.  Head of Academy Coaching, Gavin Levey praised Finlay’s efforts for August stating ‘It’s been very encouraging to see how Finlay has settled in and excelled in the Academy environment so far.  Over in Holland the whole back four played every minute against the likes of Feyenoord, Bayer Leverkusen and Dortmund, so he should feel very proud to win this award against some tough competition from his team mates and other top performers in younger age groups’.

U17 player Jack MacKenzie was the winner of the first Statoil Talent of the Month award for the 2016/17 season.
 
Jack was part of the squad that travelled to Denmark to participate in the prestigious Iber Cup tournament.  Jack scored 2 goals from his left back position and has maintained his initial high standards throughout the month of August while playing for the U17s squad.
 
Head of Youth Academy Neil Simpson said 'Jack has really impressed everyone with his displays since the start of the season. His defending, use of the ball and forward runs in the final third have been a highlight of his play.  His performances also merited his inclusion in the U20s squad v Fraserburgh in the Youth cup.  Well done Jack'