In each of the past two years, a player from our AFC Youth Academy graduation photo has gone on and played first team football that season. This year, we welcome into the club nine players from our League and Cup winning U16 side, the majority of whom also played at some point for the U18s during their victorious championship campaign last term. Academy Director Stuart Glennie has high hopes for the current crop.

“The pathway is there. We don’t have to sell that to these players, they’ve seen it for themselves, but we do have to make sure that those opportunities are there. They have already had the opportunity to train in front of the new manager. He has already taken a real interest in the young players at the club and that’s important for them.

“It is always a fantastic evening and an honour to welcome our latest AFC Youth Academy graduates, and it’s great to see as many as nine of them making the step up. A lot of them have been involved with the club for many years and have been very successful, so it’s about recognising what they have achieved to get to this point.

“We should never overlook what a proud moment it is for them and their family. It is also an emotional evening as you have young players who are moving out of the family home to go into digs as they start out on their football journey as a professional. That is a huge moment.

“It is important the players celebrate this moment with their families as the commitment they all make to help them get this far is massive. Some of these guys have been with us for nine or ten years now, and over that time, mums and dads and grandparents have had to get them to training three or four times a week and then to games at the weekend. Very often when I walk round Cormack Park at night, you also see brothers and sisters sitting round the side of the pitch. It is a huge huge commitment from the whole family, so it’s a very proud moment for them. A lot of the parents have become friends over the years, standing on the side of the pitches, watching training and games together.

“All our coaches, full-time staff, part-time staff, it is a proud moment for them too. They have all played a part in developing the players and don’t always get the recognition they deserve. When a young player makes it into the first team, it is so important that we share that success throughout the club with everybody.

“We knew last season, it would be tough with so many boys out on loan with the 18s. That accelerated the pathway for some of the guys who have just signed from the 16s. Has it been difficult for them? Very much so. But it will stand them in good stead and now they have the challenge to hit the ground running, come in and become regulars in Scott Anderson’s side. Most of the boys last season played alongside Fletcher Boyd, so they can see the next step is not actually that far away. All the staff and the coaches will guide them along the way, but it is up to them now.

“The successful players at the club are quite often the ones who do the right things away from the eyes of the coaches. When I’m sitting in my office at 7.30am in the morning, you see boys going to the gym, before many of the staff are in. They are doing it off their own bat. We will guide and support them, but it is up to the boys now. If they get success, it is down to them.

“There are big decisions this year with the U18s and who plays in the UEFA European Youth League, as there are older ones who can play in that competition as well. It is important that we do the right thing for each player. Everyone will want to play in Europe but some will also have to go out on loan to get game time.

“It is an exciting spell, and a difficult spell. Right away, we have a lot of games and it will be difficult to go and compete in all those games, but it is a great challenge for us. Our nine new recruits will have a big part to play.”

Stuart also gave us some details about the new signings:

Conner Douglas (Goalkeeper)

Connor joined the U16s team earlier this year after the recruitment team did a fantastic job identifying him playing with Bannockburn amateurs. He has shown a high level of commitment to travel up for weekly training sessions and games from Kincardine. Connor has shown a great work ethic and willingness to learn alongside the other goalkeepers within the club.

Lewis Carrol (Defender)

Lewis is an Aberdeen born player who has been in at the Academy since a young age, he has grown and matured leading to international recognition. Despite being a U16s player Lewis was a key member of the recent League winning U18s team. With great leadership qualities and communication, his natural game understanding has allowed his ability on the ball to be showcased with many outstanding performances for such a young player.

Oliver Riches (Defender)

Aberdeen based Oliver was introduced into the Academy at the beginning of the U14s season. His attitude and dedication since being in has helped develop his technical attributes, helping him produce great performances for the U16s in an extremely successful season. This has given Oliver the opportunity to have some game involvement with the U18s.

Dylan Ross (Left-back/ Central Midfield)

Dylan is another who has been in the Academy from a young age, His technical ability has enabled him to be effective both as a left back and central midfielder. As part of the U16s and U18s team last season he produced some outstanding performances from the left back position. He has good delivery from the wide areas and from set play situations.

Zak To (Central Midfield)

SFA Performance School Graduate Zak is technically very gifted and has great vision and awareness. Having overcome a serious injury during the U15s season he went on to show great attitude and dedication during his rehab and beyond, allowing him to play an integral part in the league and cup winning U16s side whilst showing great leadership qualities. He has also had the experience of U18s match minutes this season.

Jack Searle (Forward)

Another long term Academy player who attended the SFA performance school at Hazelhead, he has excelled and developed his all-round game, adding versatility in many positions, Jack’s game understanding has allowed his physical attributes to come to the fore, which has helped him produce many excellent performances in a successful U16s season. Again he has also had experience within the U18s development team.

Cooper Masson (Central Midfield)

Cooper has been with the Academy from a very young age and has shown a high level of versatility to play, and excel, in a number of positions. Cooper was captain of the very successful U16s team last season and also stepped up with some excellent and vital performances in big games for the U18s during the title run in at the end of last season. The midfielder was a pupil with the SFA Performance School at Hazlehead and his ability has seen him gain international recognition.

Joseph Teasdale (Forward)

Elgin based Josie has shown the determination required to achieve a contract after travelling four to five times a week from Elgin since he started at the Academy from a young age. Josie is a very fast and aggressive forward and has scored some vital goals for both the U16s and U18s squads. His well highlighted late winner at Pittodrie in the last game of the season versus Celtic, prior to lifting the U18s league trophy, was a great end to the season for him and the club.

 Tristan Stephen (Forward)

Tristan joined the Academy in 2023 from Banks O Dee Albion. The Banchory based forward proved to be prolific during his trial period with the U16s and continued his goalscoring exploits as a signed player. He has shown a real desire to improve and take on information and his performances were rewarded with appearances for the U18 squad at the end of the season.

On behalf of all the Academy staff, we wish all our new graduates the very best during their time as professional players at club.