Ireland has been fertile ground for the Dons in recent years, at both senior and youth level and, keeping with that tradition, we have uncovered another Dubliner who might make a mark on the football club in the coming years.

Seventeen-year-old centre-back Luke Turner, brought into the club from Shamrock Rovers, has already pushed his way into the reserves this season and has held his own there, after previously impressing for the U18s. He has also represented Ireland at Under 16s, 17s and 18s. Determined to make it to the top, he has impressed with his focused approach to the game, despite being a late starter by today’s standards.

“I didn’t play much football for a team early on because I was quite shy as a kid, so I did not start playing until I was nine or ten. I started playing for my local team in Dublin, Manor Town, and that’s how it all started really. I enjoyed playing football and everything about it. I watched a lot of games and played as often as I could.

“I then played for a few clubs including Cherry Orchard who are famous for producing young players. Both Jonny Hayes and Stephen Gleeson played for them, as well as many other players who moved to the UK. They helped me a lot as we played in a lot of big tournaments. It’s different now as most of the League of Ireland sides have youth academies, whereas they were a schoolboy club.

“My move to Aberdeen came about when my agent told me about an offer to go on trial. As soon as I heard, I wanted to go. I was very aware that in recent years they have been a lot of Irish players at the club like Willo Flood and Adam Rooney as well as Hayes, Gleeson, Danny Rogers and Joe Shaughnessy. I heard from people that it was a great club and a very friendly place to come, one of the best places in Scotland. Aberdeen has a very good reputation in Ireland, so I thought I would enjoy it more than an English Academy.

“I knew about the history of the club and that the youth set up was very good. There have been a lot of young players who have got in the first team down the years. I came on trial at the tail end of the 2017/18 season and at the end of it, I got offered a professional contract. I then moved to Aberdeen that summer.

“Since I have been here, I’ve seen Ethan Ross and Dean Campbell, both guys I played with in the U18s during my first season, making it into the first team. As a young player, it gives you a great lift when you see that. You see Scott McKenna playing in the first team, a young centre-half. A lot of clubs are reluctant to put young players into key positions. There are a lot of clubs in the UK who take in a lot of youngsters but don’t have a good pathway. Aberdeen definitely has that.”

Luke has also been involved in the Irish pathway at international level.

“I’ve played for Ireland at various age groups and was away with the U18s recently. There are not too many games at that level, so my next challenge will be to force my way into the U19s. That will be very difficult as the standard in Ireland at that age group is very high at the moment. The U21s are also very strong so it is hard to get into those higher age groups.”

Luke’s concentration at present is all about Aberdeen though. He admits that he feels much more at home now in his second season at the club.

“This is my second year as full time professional at Pittodrie. The first year was tough, I did feel a bit homesick. It’s hard moving away from home and to a different country when you are only 16. I have a very close family, so I do miss them. It was hard coming over but it’s 100% what I want to be doing. It’s just one of the sacrifices you have to make if you want to be a footballer. Living away from home allows me to focus on my football without any distractions.

“Now I’ve been here a while, I’m in a rhythm and finding it a lot easier. I know what I’m doing and just being a year older helps as well, you grow up. I’m very happy here. I really enjoy living in Aberdeen. I am quite a quiet lad, so the size of city really suits me. My mum and dad have always been very supportive and they try and get over once a month to see me too. My mum thinks she knows a lot about the game, so she’s a big supporter!

“At Aberdeen the coaching is very good. Guys like Barry Robson and Paul Sheerin are both ex-players and give great advice, but the first team players have had an influence on me too. I really look up to Andy Considine and how he conducts himself on and off the park. When he plays football, he keeps it simple, he is strong, he is physical, he does not let anyone bully him. Scott McKenna as well, he’s never intimidated. Michael Devlin is another very good player, an international. They’ve all really helped me develop as a central defender. They all take the time to talk to me.

“I played in a reserve game this season against Ross County and I was in defence alongside Michael and I learned so much that day. He talked me through the game and spoke to me at half-time. Even in training, you learn so much from these guys and they are happy to pass on advice.

“The reserve games have been good this season. We have played against different teams which has meant we have had to adjust to playing against different styles, particularly when we have played against the English teams. You don’t know what type of team you are going to play against, how old the team is going to be, they’re all players you’re not familiar with, so it is a real test. You have to adapt very quickly but is very good for my development.

“My aim, like all young players, is to make it into the first team one day. At the moment, it’s just about working as hard as I can and try to get as many minutes as possible in the reserves so I can get the chance to play with senior players. It’s all about improving and working hard all the time.”

Development Squad Fixture