Midfielder joins the 2021 club

Dean Campbell has today signed a new contract until 2021.

He is the latest youngster to pledge his future to the Dons after Bruce Anderson signed a new deal last week.

Dean joined the Youth Academy programme at the age of eight and made his professional debut for Aberdeen in a league match against Celtic on 12 May 2017, aged just 16 years, 1 month, 23 days. In doing so he became the youngest ever Aberdeen player.

When he came in full time last summer Paul Sheerin instantly handed him the captain’s armband for the Aberdeen Development Squad, highlighting his maturity and leadership skills. Injury during the second half of last season delayed any more first team action but Dean’s second league appearance came almost exactly one year after his first, again against Celtic. After coming on as a substitute the central midfielder put in a really composed performance and played his part in a 1–0 win for the Dons, which was a first league victory at Celtic Park since 2004. It secured runners-up spot on the last day of the season.

A massive Aberdeen fan, the 17 year old will be looking to push his way into the first team over the next couple of seasons.

Manager Derek McInnes commented, “I’m delighted to have both Dean and Bruce committing their futures with us over the next period. While they are both different in how they play, both have a fantastic attitude, a desire to learn and to play for the team they have always supported.

“That determination, along with their abilities will help them to hopefully become a regular in our first team if they keep working hard.”

Dean spoke to RedTV this afternoon. You can see that interview shortly.

“I am delighted to get it done. As soon as I heard about the offer on the table, I was never not going to sign it. It was just a case of reading the terms and conditions and then putting pen to paper.

“It is a little bit of a different situation between Bruce and myself because he was coming to the end of his contract. I still had a few years left on mine, but this now gives me more security. For the next few years I can get my head down and work hard and focus on trying to get as much game time as possible.

“It has been a good start to the season for me personally. I have been involved with every first team game apart from the Hibernian one at Easter Road. It is good for me at my age to be involved with the first team squad.

“Everyone wants to play for the first team and I am no exception. I want to get more minutes, but I know it is going to be a challenge as there are top players ahead of me; Shinnie, Gleeson, Forrester, Ferguson, Ball – all good midfielders. It is a tough challenge for me but one I am looking forward to.

“Connor and Bruce have both had minutes, I have been around the squad, Sam (Roscoe) has been around the squad, Ryan (Harrington) has been around the squad as well. So it has been a good start for the young players and we are getting some recognition after a strong season last year.

“It is now up to us to work as hard as we can to try and push ourselves into the first team, whether that might be going out on loan or staying here and playing for the reserves.”