First Team

SIX PROMISING TALENTS TO CONTINUE JOURNEY WITH THE CLUB

18th June 2024

Six of our brightest up-and-coming stars have put pen to paper on new contracts with the club heading into the 2024/25 campaign as they look to continue cutting their teeth in the senior game.

LEWIS O'DONNELL

 

After a formative loan with Kelty Hearts, Lewis O'Donnell has put pen to paper on a deal that will lengthen his stint on Tayside for a further two years.

Featuring in all but one of the Maroon Machine's League One matches last term, the midfielder put over 3,000 senior minutes under his belt across all competitions and cemented himself as an integral part of Michael Tidser's promotion-chasing side.

O'Donnell also opened his senior account with aplomb during his time at New Central Park, netting a stunning long-range volley against eventual undefeated Champions, Falkirk.

RUAIRIDH ADAMS

A familiar face within the first-team goalkeeping environment, Ruairidh Adams will remain with United until at least the summer of 2025.

The 19-year-old also reaped the rewards of a temporary spell away from Tayside during 2023/24, as he played all 18 of Edinburgh City's final matches of the League One campaign after arriving in January.

Not only successful with his goalkeeping exploits during his time in the capital, Adams was also the only shot-stopper to score a goal from open play in the entirety of the SPFL Pyramid whilst playing between the sticks. His 96th-minute equaliser against Queen of the South was a rare highlight for the Citizens last season.

BRANDON FORBES

Brandon Forbes is our first Young Terrors star to extend his stay in the city of Discovery for a further 12 months.

After arriving at Tannadice last summer off the back of a Scottish Youth Cup Final hat-trick for Renfrewshire-based outfit Thorn Athletic, the mercurial attacker hit the ground running at Foundation Park.

A goal-laden debut season followed, as he rippled the net 18 times across all competitions. His impressive return of five in six CAS Under-18s Elite League matches towards the tail end of the campaign contributed greatly to an upturn in form for United.

ADAM CARNWATH

Adam Carnwath will continue his recovery from injury with the club after signing a one-year extension.

A breakthrough year, which featured his first-team debut in an SPFL Trust Trophy joust with Falkirk and regular opportunities to train with the first team, was cruelly halted in March after he sustained a dislocated ankle in a league clash with Heart of Midlothian.

Carnwath, effective both out wide and through the middle, has made positive steps since the subsequent surgery, and will look to pick up his burgeoning displays once more upon his return to action next term.

SAMUEL-CLEALL HARDING

Baldragon Academy graduate and boyhood Arab Samuel Cleall-Harding is set to continue his association with the club into a 12th year.

The imposing defender has been a regular fixture in first-team matchday squads after battling back from a ruptured ACL in 2022, and will hope to make his long-awaited Terrors bow on our return to the top flight.

A goalscoring threat from set-pieces, Harding netted on four occasions for the U18s throughout 2023/24, whilst also frequently captaining the side with distinction.

SEAN BORLAND

Sean Borland is our final budding youngster to ink a new year-long contract as he makes the step-up into the senior game.

The former Hamilton Academical midfielder earned his first professional deal as a 16-year-old, showing maturity beyond his years during a trial period. 

As United gathered momentum in the latter stages of the season, Borland found the back of the net in victories over St Mirren and Queen’s Park

DEPARTING PLAYERS
Mathew Cudjoe

We can confirm Mathew Cudjoe has decided to call time on his Tannadice career. The club made an offer which reflected our vision for Mathew in both financial and footballing terms however the Ghanaian has decided to pursue his career elsewhere.

Since his arrival in November 2021, he has featured 46 in tangerine, finding the back of the net on five occasions.

Young Terrors

We also thank U18s Liam Trotter, Keir Bertie and Greg Petrie for their services in tangerine as they depart for pastures new.