Dundee United are delighted to announce Academy graduate Kai Fotheringham has put pen to paper on a two-year extension to his contract with the club. 

After making his debut in a 6-2 rout of Brechin City in the 2020/21 League Cup Group Stages, the Falkirk-born wide man would go on to play ten games for the Bairns during a short-term loan spell with his hometown club later that season.
 
Kai enjoyed further loan stints across various levels of the SPFL pyramid with Raith Rovers, Cove Rangers and Stirling Albion.


 
During his time at Balmoral, he claimed the first senior medal of his career as Cove lifted the League One title, and with Albion sitting top of League Two, his second could be on the horizon.
 
On his return to United in January, Kai has been rewarded with three cinch Premiership starts and a positive substitute appearance against Livingston.
 
A dynamic and forward-thinking winger, the livewire can be deployed on either side of the pitch, adept with either foot, whilst also carrying a threat through the middle of the park if called upon.

Leaps and Bounds

After extending his stay at Tannadice until at least 2025, Kai said "I’m delighted to extend my stay here – this club has been a massive part of my journey so far.
 
"I’ve come on leaps and bounds as a player so hopefully that continues, and I keep enjoying every minute of my time here.
 
"The loan experiences were really good for me, I learned so many different things. Playing at a variety of different levels will improve different aspects of my game which can help me in the Premiership.
 
"I just need to keep working hard at training and keep listening to all the coaches to make sure I improve every day."

Star Performer 

Manager Jim Goodwin, who has utilised the Academy graduate both in the starting line-up and from the bench, added "Since coming in, Kai’s been one of the star performers in terms of his attitude towards training on a day-to-day basis.
 
"He’s a fantastic young professional who’s always willing to learn and most importantly, listen. I’m sure he’s got a bright future ahead of him – he’s a player with great technical and physical attributes.
 
"It’s a good bit of business from the club – that pathway from the academy into the first team has always been important for the club. Kai earning a new contract should give players in the academy some hope and inspiration.
 
"It will be very excting to see how he develops over the coming seasons."

Cornerstone

Finally, CEO Luigi Capuano gave his thoughts on tying a promising youngster down on a new deal.

"Kai is a shining example of a player who has worked extremely hard throughout his journey with the academy and ultimately has been rewarded with an opportunity to make an impact for the first team on a regular basis. 

"A clear pathway from Academy football into the first-team has been synonymous with Dundee United for decades and this will continue to be part of our long-term strategy.

"Our Academy is the cornerstone of the club's player development model and we believe Kai will be the latest of our academy graduates who can become a mainstay in the first-team squad"

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