Goalkeeper Robbie Mutch today signed a new deal, putting pen to paper on a one year contract extension that will see him again be part of Paul Sheerin’s development squad for season 2016/17.

Robbie has been part of the Aberdeen youth system since the age of eight. Born in Elgin, he has lived in Inverurie for over ten years. The Aberdeen supporter went to Strathburn Primary School then Inverurie Academy. He played for Colony Park for one year and then signed for Aberdeen. Robbie was then loaned back out to Colony at U17 level before winning a professional contract in August 2014. Last season, the keeper forced his way in the U20 side and played a massive part in helping them win the SPFL Development League with a number of outstanding performances.

It was an incredible rise for the youngster, who at one stage had looked set to be released from the Youth Academy. This season started well too and Robbie played nine out of the opening 11 games before suffering a serious injury in training. The 17 year old is thankfully back training again and is looking forward to being part of Paul Sheerin’s plans next season.

He spoke to www.afc.co.uk about his deal:

“The fact it is a one year deal through to the end of next season keeps me on my toes and will force me to work even harder to hopefully win another longer term contract after that. Every year, you need to be improving. The standards required are very high.

“It has been a very tough year, very frustrating. Things were going very well for me and then all of a sudden there was a training ground collision and five months later I’m still not back playing. But that is the nature of football.

You have to learn to deal with these things. I just have to focus on coming back stronger.  

“There are the physical scars from the injury that need to heal but it is also difficult mentally, just sitting at home. For a month, I was not even allowed out my bed. I follow our games on my phone and that is hard. I’m desperate to be involved, so it probably is harder mentally than physically but you just have to deal with it.

“Thankfully, at least I’m back on the training field again. I cannot dive yet but it is just good to be back with Paul and in amongst the boys.

“Gordon Marshall has been brilliant with me. He is also very good with young David Craddock as well. We are always doing extra sessions. If the team trains in the morning, we then go back out in the afternoon. If the players have a day off, we come in.

“All the goalkeepers get on really well. Danny Ward was fantastic to work with. He is really a top guy and a very good goalkeeper. Scott Brown is very good with me. Before I could drive, he used to give me a lift to work each day. Adam Collin has now come in as well as Aaron Lennox who has been playing for the U20s. He has done very well.

“My aim is to try and push and get a few games before the end the season under my belt, even if it means playing for the U17s as an over age goalkeeper. But my main aim is to be ready for the first day of pre-season. Physio John Sharp has been killing me with all the running, so by the time pre-season comes along I should be the fittest player in the U20s squad!

“For a personal point of view I will be looking to cement my place as the number one keeper in the U20s. From the team perspective, this season the SFA Youth Cup was very disappointing. We knew that once we got everyone back fit we would have had a decent side and could have done well in the competition, so next season we will be looking to do better in that competition.  

“In the league we have not done as well this season but that was to be expected. It is a very different side to the one we had last year, a much younger side. But we are still at the top end of the league and I think we will be up there again next season. There is a very talented group of boys in that U20 dressing room.”