There are eight players this summer who will be following in the footsteps of Scott McKenna and Dean Campbell and moving from the AFC Youth Academy to the full time ranks at Pittodrie.

To get the low down on the new recruits we spoke to Neil Simpson, Head of Youth Academy.

 

Tyler Alexander
Age: 16
From: Aberdeen
“Tyler attends the SFA Performance School at Hazlehead. He is a left sided player, a great left foot. Has predominantly played in midfield but also played wide as well. He is one of these players who has a really sweet left-foot, reminds me a little bit of Nicky Low in terms of the quality he has in his left side.”

Max Barry
Age: 16
From: Aberdeen
“Max also attends the SFA Performance School. He is a centre midfielder who has been with the Academy since he was 10. Max’s distribution is very good and also has a cracking strike on him. He has played a lot of good games this year at U17 level and was rewarded with some game time for the U20s in the Development League. Most of the boys have been in full-time training on occasion and most have also been involved with some of the Development games. That is really important and helps them get a feel for it before they become full time players.”

Connor Barron
Age: 16
From: Kintore
“Connor is a player the fans might know a little more about as he has been featured in the match programme. He is a very good footballer. Connor is small but more than makes up for it in terms of determination and ability, he is really skilful player. Connor has played for Scotland at U16 level and scored against England and helped them to a famous win. So he is very much part of the international set up. Another who has come through the Academy from a young age, he was nine when he first joined the club and has been at the Performance School. Connor was involved quite a bit with the 20s last season and played a few games. A real talent.”

Jack Chesser
Age: 16
From: Aberdeen
“Jack is tall and a really good footballer. A good user of the ball. He has played in defence but is also very comfortable stepping forward to midfield. Another of the boys who has been part of the Performance School. Again has been involved with Paul Sheerin’s U20s and last pre-season went away with them on their Highland tour which really set him up for a strong campaign.”

Lewis Duncan
Age: 16
From: Fraserburgh
“Lewis can play midfield, wide or through the middle. A pocket dynamo. He has great energy and scores some great goals. He is different in terms of his style but is one of these players who can create something out of nothing. He can create things in a game even when he has very little space or time. I am looking forward to seeing Lewis develop with full time training.”

Sean Linden
Age: 17
From: Elgin
“Unlike most of the others Sean has only been in the system for a few seasons now. He played in a pre-season tournament down at St Andrews and was an absolute standout. He is a winger. His pace is unbelievable and has a great delivery into the box. Sean has played for the 20s on a number of occasions last season, So he has an understanding of the standards. Is from Elgin and went to Elgin Academy.”

Lloyd Robertson
Age: 17
From: Aberdeen
“Lloyd is brother of Sam who was with the U20s a few years back and was part of the squad who won the Development League. Lloyd can play right back, centre back or in midfielder. Is a very composed player, a good user of the ball,reads the game well and is a very solid defender. Went to Aberdeen Grammer School.”

Kieran Shanks
Age: 16
From: Oldmeldrum
“Kieran is a striker. Has a very good eye for goal. A really hard-working forward who holds the ball in well. A determined player. I was delighted to see him get a contract. Kieran also attended the performance SFA performance School at Hazlehead.”

 

Pathway

“I think it is great for all these young lads who are coming in and have the opportunity to be full-time players.

“As we always say the hard work starts now.

“It is up to them now to deliver and show that they have the aptitude and the determination to be a first team player in the future.

“The good thing is that we have got Scott Anderson there who has a really key role to play. Scott helps the transition from being a Youth Academy player to being a full-time player. Scott was in charge of the U17s and assisted Paul Sheerin with the U20s.

“There is a slight change next season with the U17 Youth League moving to U18 and the Development League changing back to the Reserves. Scott will again have an important part to play in the new set up.

“I am in favour of the change. The main advantage is that it will give players an extra year in terms of their development. It is all about long term player development. You might have a player who is small and has physically not developed yet but has talent. We want to give these types of boys as much time as possible and when they are fully physically developed, that is when you are judging them.

“It also gives some of the U20 players an extra year to impress. They can now be part of the reserve squad, whereas before if they were too old for the 20s and they were not ready for the first team squad, you would maybe have to release them.

“One of the players who came in at this time last year was Dean Campbell.

“Dean and Scott McKenna have shown these boys and all the kids further down in the Youth Academy the potential opportunity that is there.

“You also have Frank Ross who scored for the first team. His pathway was to go out on loan, like Scott McKenna had done previously, he got lots of minutes under his belt and I am hoping when he comes back in pre-season that he can show that he can be a regular in the first team as well. He will be knocking on the door this season.

“Dean is just out of the Academy and also one who came from the Performance School.

“Scott McKenna is in the Youth Academy office every day. Scott is a big supporter of youth and is a great role model because he knows what it takes. He is happy to help and support us in any way he can. He will often come along and speak to the boys and help educate them.

“We wish all our AFC Youth Academy graduates all the very best in their careers at Aberdeen FC.”

 

Please note we will have an update on the Reserve squad for season 2018/19 later this week.