KERR SMITH SIGNS FIRST PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT AT TANNADICE

Dundee United is delighted to confirm that Our Academy graduate Kerr Smith has penned his first professional contract with the Club today on his 16th birthday.

The highly sought after young defender has been subject to interest from a number of English Premier League clubs over the last few months, but has decided to continue his development at Tannadice by signing until summer 2023.

Kerr has already sampled a taste of first team action this season when he was involved in a friendly against Sheffield United at the beginning of the season and the composed centre-back did not look out of place when going up against Premier League calibre strikers at just 15-years-old.

He will wear the number 43 shirt this season as he continues his exciting development into becoming a first team player here at Tannadice.

Academy Director Andy Goldie said: "We are delighted that Kerr has committed to his first professional contract with Dundee United. He has shown great maturity over the last few years and has taken on all the challenges that Our Academy has set him during his development. He is a talented player and his commitment to the Academy since he was eight-years-old is a great inspiration to other Academy players."

Sporting Director Tony Asghar added: "Kerr had a lot of interest from some of the worlds biggest clubs, so we are delighted he has signed a contract with Dundee United FC. The opportunity that he will have at this club is something that Kerr and his parents were keen on and we look forward to Kerr developing into a Dundee United first team player. He has shown in games that the transition will not take long."

We will have a full interview with Kerr on DUTV next week.