New Don Stewart out to net first team place
Stewart wants to make his mark
Published:
ROOKIE signing Sammy Stewart hasn’t moved to Pittodrie just to make up the numbers.
The 17-year-old reported for his first session of pre-season training today driven by one over-riding ambition – to break into the Dons first team squad.
A £15,000 signing from Glenavon, the teenager is viewed as a player for the future.
But ambitious Stewart wants to make his mark now, starting on the Dons pre-season tour to Holland.
He said: “I am coming to Aberdeen to break into the first team, that is my goal.
“As a teenager I accept that I will have to move up through the ranks but I am confident I can do that quickly.
“I am more than ready for Scottish football and will be working hard to push into the team.
“Jimmy Calderwood has named me in the first team squad so that shows he thinks I can definitely do something.
“As far as I know I will be going to Holland and that will give me a great chance to impress the gaffer and show what I can do.”
The midfielder alerted the Dons after impressing during his debut season in the Irish Premier League with Glenavon.
Following a week-long trial, the Craigavon born play-maker was secured on a two-year deal.
It completed a remarkable turnaround.
Just two months ago he was sitting in a classroom at Craigavon Senior High School.
Now he has uprooted from his family and friends in search of his pro dream.
“Playing with Aberdeen will be completely different to what I experienced in Ireland because I will be full-time,” he said.
“That is what I have always wanted and I am fully focused on making my mark with Aberdeen.
“Moving to Pittodrie is a big step for me as I was still at school until now.
“Leaving Northern Ireland was a wrench as I had to move away from my friends and family.
“But it is something I have to do because I want to do well in football.
“I am more than ready for this challenge and believe I can only get better playing at a team like Aberdeen.”
The younger brother of former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Northern Ireland under-21 international striker Tommy Stewart, Sammy officially began his Dons career today.
And the midfielder has been working hard at home in Ireland to ensure he is ready.
“Jimmy Calderwood gave me a training schedule and I have been working hard on it,” he said.
“Signing for Aberdeen is a huge opportunity for me and to get a two-year deal is fantastic.
“I believe I can bring something to the team as I am a box-to-box midfielder who will add a lot of energy in attack.
“However I never shirk my defensive duties and also have a range of shots that I can use to test keepers.
“I want to make the most of this chance as Aberdeen are a huge club and it is exciting to be part of that.”
One of the lures of joining Aberdeen was the chance to work with Pittodrie No.2 Jimmy Nicholl, a legend in Northern Irish football.
“It will be fantastic to be working with Jimmy as he is so highly regarded in Northern Ireland,” he said.
“He is a legend and I am sure I will learn a lot from him.
“It will also be great to see a friendly face to help me settle in at Pittodrie.
“Regardless of the Jimmy Nicholl connection Aberdeen are well known in Ireland.
“Obviously they are not as big as Rangers and Celtic, but they are regarded as one of Scotland’s best teams who are always in the top half of the league.”
Calderwood underlined his willingness to give youth a chance by playing teenagers Sone Aluko and Josh Walker last season.
Both featured in high profile UEFA Cup ties, scoring against Bayern Munich.
“Aberdeen are a team renowned for bringing through young players and giving them an opportunity,” he said.
“Sone and Josh both played in Europe and I would love to do that.
“It is unfortunate Aberdeen are not in the UEFA Cup this season, because there are quality teams like AC Milan involved.
“It would be a dream to play in a tournament of that level, and hopefully Aberdeen can push for Europe again.”
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