Aberdeen has signed a new goalkeeper today. 19-year-old Sam Jackson, who has previously been with Millwall and Dundee, has agreed a one-year deal that will see him be part of the Development Squad during the 2019-20 campaign.

We spoke to the Dons new stopper and asked him to tell us about his career so far:

Growing up

“It has been a journey!

“I am from a place called Bromley in South East London. I went to a school called Ravens Wood, an all-boys school that was actually a football academy. Even before then, I was always in and out of various football academies.

“It is quite common for young players in the London area to be passed around from A to B to C. It is not always a bad thing. It gives you a chance to experience different styles, players, environments as you learn the game.

“I was with Fulham, Chelsea, Arsenal Development – the level before their academy.

“I do actually support Arsenal.

“We still have a season ticket which my dad uses. I have always been an Arsenal fan, that is my team.

“I have watched some good goalkeepers play there over the years but if I had to pick one keeper that I admire it would be Gianluigi Buffon. I know he has nothing to do with Arsenal! I have always thought he is one of the best in the world and to still be playing at his age, tells you everything you need to know. He is someone who is greatly respected by all keepers. Look at what he has achieved throughout the years? He is a great goalkeeper.

“If you are looking at a goalkeeper who likes to play out from the back, something I like to do myself, I would probably say Ederson is the best with the ball at his feet. A big part of being a goalkeeper in today’s game.”

Millwall

“I have always been a goalkeeper. Actually that is not true, when I was six or seven I was a left back, a terrible left back, and then one game they were looking for someone to go in goal so I put my hand up! I did surprisingly well so since that day I have always been in goal.

“I then played for a semi-professional club when I was younger called Dartford FC. From there I went to Gillingham for about a year so I have been about! After that I got picked up by Millwall.
“So I started my professional career at Millwall, I signed when I was 15. I was at the New Den till I was 17. I felt I played well for the U18s week in week out but there was an England goalkeeper in front of me – Ryan Sandford, so it was obviously hard to get in front of him. Ryan, who has just signed a new deal at Millwall was capped at England Under 16, Under 17 and Under 18 levels; he is a very good keeper.”

Moving to Scotland

“My goalkeeping coach at Millwall knew the Dundee goalkeeping coach Bobby Geddes. So they got talking, Dundee were looking for a keeper, I went up for a trial, got the good news and signed at Dens for the year.

“I felt I did quite well at Dundee, they were happy with my progress and I was hopeful of getting another contract, but as everyone knows they have been relegated and that has led to them having to adjust their finances and get rid of a lot of the reserve team. So it was not just me which was a shame. I did like it there, but everything has worked out of me and now I am at Aberdeen.

“It was a tough year. There is no point in denying that. It was very frustrating to see. I was involved at times with the first team, I went to Portugal when I first joined, and I was also doing the warm up every week with the first team keepers and then playing for the reserves midweek.

“Being in and around the first team, I was friendly with all the players and they were a good bunch, every single one of them, so the relegation hits you hard. The boys who were there have been through a lot, losing ten games in a row, it is not pleasant for any player.

“And of course Scott Wright was a team mate for the second half of last season.

“It was an experience you never want to go through again, but I am sure myself and all the young players are stronger for the experience.

“James McPake has taken over and he is well respected by everyone. I think they will do well this season.”

On Trial

“You have to look after yourself in football and I jumped at the chance to come here. It was a bit of a shock to get released from Dundee and then get picked up so quickly and by a club like Aberdeen. Everything happened very quickly.

“It goes without saying, it is a very good opportunity for me. I am very much looking forward to it.

“I was here for a week’s trial at the end of last season. On the last day Gordon Marshall the goalkeeping coach told me the good news that they wanted me up here.

“There is a wonderful opportunity for me to come here and learn from the likes of Joe Lewis and Tomas Cerny. Two great goalkeepers who have great experience. Gordon is also a great goalkeeping coach from what I have seen and heard.

“When I was at Dundee I was third choice. I am not sure what I will be at Pittodrie, but I do all the hard work to hopefully get near the top.

“It is a one-year deal. So it is case of me getting my head down and working as hard as I can. Hopefully I can prove to Aberdeen that there is something about me. I would like to think that they will think that at some point, but it is up to me to show them what I can do and hopefully strive for that next contract.

“More often than not, the pathway for a keeper is not straight forward. Even some of the top keepers around nowadays have found themselves maybe struggling for a club or having to go out on loan in their younger days. Very few go straight from an Academy set up into the first team.

“My journey has taken me to Aberdeen and I am determined it will stop here for a while.”