Trio sign first professional deals

Three of our talented academy players are ready to put in the hard work after signing their first professional contracts with the club.

Murray Binnie (15), Arran Brookfield (16) and Brodie Dair (16), who have all signed two-year deals, are excited to make the step up.

The trio starred for our youth academy last season and will now be looking to impress further in the coming weeks and months.

Murray, an attacking player who has experience playing striker or wide, said: “I can’t wait to get started and it is a dream come true, to be honest.

“Last season was a good one. I managed to do well with the under-16s and scored quite a lot of goals, then got my chance with the under-18s.

“I was able to get a few starts and to win the league was just brilliant. Getting far in the cup too was a good experience.

“It will now be a tough couple of weeks but I just need to come in every day, work hard and show what I can do.

“I can play anywhere across the front line and look to be strong, powerful and run in behind defences.”

Right-back Arran said: “I need to keep working hard and see where it takes me. If a chance does come, I need to try and take it.

“Winning the league with the under-18s last season was great and there were a lot of positives to take from it.

“I first came in at 12 years old and the club has been great with me. It is a great club to be at – and now I’ll keep pushing.

“As a full-back, I want to get forward to create as well as defend to stop the goals at the other end. I’ll always try to get forward when I can.”

And Brodie, who was predominantly playing wide of a front three for the U18s last term, said: “The first day is exciting and I know I need to start well and be as fit as I can be to try impress the gaffer.

“I’ll look to impress and see what happens from there. I just need to put in a lot of hard work.

“Winning the league with the under-18s was really good. The whole year was positive with the boys and the standard was great every day.

“I normally play wide in the forward area. I like to take my man on, get shots off and crosses into the box.”

Pictured, from left, are Arran Brookfield, Brodie Dair and Murray Binnie.