UNITED WELCOME SEVEN EXCITING ADDITIONS TO THE YOUNG TERRORS

Seven promising Tannadice talents have put pen to paper on their first professional contracts with the club after excelling within our 2007s age group, as they prepare to take the step up to full-time football.

MATTHEW MUDIE

After making his Young Terrors debut in a New Firm clash at Cormack Park aged just 14, Mudie has subsequently cemented himself as a regular fixture within Brian Grant and Andy Payne’s matchday squads.

2023/24 brought his first taste of international recognition, with the right-back included in the Scotland U16s training group back in August.

HARRY WELSH

Former Dundee West Royals star Welsh also joined United colleague Mudie in the Scotland U16s camp having consistently impressed on the flanks at Foundation Park.

An effective ball carrier with an eye for a defence-splitting pass, the 16-year-old will look to continue his development into next season with a full CAS Under-18s Elite League debut.

CALVIN BEATTIE 

Beattie will look to follow in the footsteps of fellow Baldragon Academy graduates and current first-team players Samuel Cleall-Harding and Owen Stirton as he continues his United journey into a ninth year.

Last term, the box-to-box midfielder balanced his U16 vice-captaincy duties with regular action for the U18s, featuring in multiple rounds on their road to the Scottish FA Youth Cup Semi-Final.

KEIR GILLIGAN

A product of the Scottish FA Performance School programme at St John’s RC High School, 2023/24 was a landmark year for the defender as he skippered the U16s and received his first Scotland call-up for a Largs-based training camp.

Gilligan joined United from Fairmuir BC in 2015, and having penned his first pro contract, will surpass a decade within our youth ranks.

JOSH HOLT

The talented attacking midfielder is already a familiar face within the Young Terrors set-up despite his youth and has frequently represented Scotland at both U15 and U16 level in competitive UEFA tournaments.

Holt’s pedigree within local youth football also saw him named the Young Sportsman of the Year at the 2023 Dundee Sports Awards.

FINLAY SIMPSON

Simpson has taken just one year with his boyhood club to prove himself ready for the world of full-time football, enjoying a goal-laden debut season with the U16s.

An imposing figure for opposition defences to contend with, the frontman joins two former Dundee West Royals colleagues in inking a professional deal with United this summer - Harry Welsh & Josh Holt

CONAL SHIELDS

Earmarked as a budding centre-back developing in the West Lothian area by our wider scouting network, Shields arrived on Tayside in 2020 from Livingston United Community.

Whilst resolute defending his own box, the 16-year-old carries a sizeable threat at the other end when attacking set pieces, and is adept using both feet to make forward-thinking passes from the deep.