Scott Anderson’s U18 side have made a strong start to their Club Academy Scotland U18 League season with three wins out four and are in action on Friday, away to Celtic.

The Aberdeen development squad has also added Timothy Akindileni to their ranks after a successful recent trial period with the club. The 6’ 4” left sided centre-back has signed a two-year professional contract.

Timmy’s story is an unusual one, as he is very much a late developer. Similar to Blair MacKenzie, who is currently on loan at Elgin City, he’s a player who hadn’t featured for the youth academy and was handed his opportunity at late very stage.

He was first spotted in 2019, and although not brought into the system at that stage, scouts continued to watch his progress. As he continued to show real improvement, he was finally handed a chance, albeit via a tough trial which included a 21 day pre-season programme and then a further two week period training with the team to improve his stamina. Throughout his trial, Timmy showed excellent technical ability, attitude, leadership, desire and work ethic.

Timmy told us about how life is going after a whirlwind couple of months.

“I am really enjoying my time so far as a professional footballer. It’s a dream come true. Before signing, I took part in a trial game with all the players from around Scotland who got scouted by Aberdeen. It was an exhibition type match at Cormack Park. Even to get called up for that was a bit of shock if I’m being honest. I was just enjoying playing for East End, enjoying my football and not really thinking about taking the next step to this level.

“I then got a call a few weeks later to come in and do a fitness test with the coaches, at which point they said I was pretty unfit! This came as a bit of a shock as I thought I was a fit lad – but apparently not! It highlights that extra level you need to go to in order to be a professional athlete.

“I then had to come in and train with the U18s so they could have a closer look at me. The lack of fitness ruined my confidence a little bit to start with, but every day I have been working on my fitness. I never knew I could be as fit as I am now. It’s amazing what you can achieve when you put your mind to it.
“I have now been in for over a month. I didn’t know any of the boys, but they have all made me feel very welcome.

“I started my career with Glentanar and I played for them for two seasons. I then joined East End and was there for three years or so. We had a couple of good runs in the Scottish Cup, getting to a quarter-final and a semi-final. We also won the league as well.

“When you are younger, there are a lot of scouts around at the games. When you don’t get picked up by a senior team at a young age, you tend to think that you chance has gone. What my signing shows is that if you keep working hard and doing well, you will get spotted, as there are always people watching the games.

“I have just left Bucksburn Academy. Being an Aberdeen fan, the first couple of days were a bit surreal, seeing all the first team players walking past you at Cormack Park, but I’m used to it now. It’s nice at the training ground, all the players and staff are in together. It is a great environment to come into every day.

“I play centre-back. I started as a striker, but as I grew taller and taller, I went back to midfield and then back to defence. Being left footed, I play as the left centre-half but I made my debut for the U18s on the opening day of the season at left-back, as Brendan Hamilton had a suspension carried over from the season before. Playing in the first game was a great experience and helped my confidence. I had also played in the friendly games at Keith and Rothes.

“I know I am not going to play every week, but hopefully as the season progresses, I can force my way into the side. I have been given this opportunity and I will work as hard as I can every day to try reach as high a level as I can.”