Dundee United are excited to announce the extension of Samuel Cleall-Harding’s contract, with the Academy graduate committing his future to the club until at least the summer of 2027.

A boyhood Arab, Cleall-Harding has enjoyed an inspirational journey from the George Fox Lower onto the hallowed turf of Tannadice.

The defender joined our Pre-Academy aged seven, honing his talents at Foundation Park whilst also strutting his stuff for local boys’ club, Riverside West End. Eyed as one to watch by Academy coaches, he began his pro-youth journey with our U10s

Cleall-Harding was forced to return to the terraces after suffering a nasty knee injury at the beginning of 2022, following his heroes around the country in between rehab sessions as the Terrors secured their return to the European stage.

Despite this setback, he would sign his first professional contract with the club at the outset of the 2022/23 campaign, becoming the second prospect of our flagship Baldragon Academy Performance School initiative.

The following two seasons saw Cleall-Harding become an integral part of Brian Grant and Andy Payne’s Young Terrors, captaining the side regularly.

An intelligent ball-winner and adept at stepping into midfield in possession, the towering centre-half was a colossus in both boxes in the CAS Under-18s Elite League, netting on four occasions last term.

2024 brought another mammoth step towards grasping his lifelong dream, with Cleall-Harding given the nod by Manager, Jim Goodwin, to progress into his first-team set-up permanently.

During pre-season, he appeared in all three friendlies against Brechin City, Annan Athletic and Luton Town respectively, raising eyebrows with his courageous and dominant display in the latter.

A feisty clash with former Manchester United star Tahith Chong instantly endeared him to the tangerine faithful!

Cleall-Harding embarked on his first loan spell in August, joining Michael Tidser’s progressive Kelty Hearts in League One. Alongside fellow up-and-coming United star Ruairidh Adams, he was an ever-present in the third tier’s meanest backline, starting all 15 league matches throughout his stint in Fife and garnering over 1,300 minutes of experience.

The 18-year-old also reached another career milestone of his first senior goal on his temporary stint away from the city of Discovery, nodding home from close range in the Maroon Machine’s ruthless 5-1 rout of Queen of the South at Palmerston.

As a result of his New Central Park successes, Cleall-Harding was recalled by Goodwin this month to bolster his defensive options for the William Hill Premiership run-in.

A GREAT ENVIRONMENT TO LEARN

"I'm delighted to continue the next chapter of my career here - it was an easy decision to keep developing at the club I've supported my whole life!", said Cleall-Harding.

"This is a great environment to learn, with great coaches and lots of experienced players who will help me become a better player.

"It's been an exciting season so far, having made my senior debut and enjoyed my first loan spell away from Tannadice, and I can't wait to keep building on these positive steps.

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