Six of our brightest prospects have put pen to paper on new deals with the club heading into the 2024/25 campaign as they look to continue cutting edge in the senior game.
LEWIS O’DONNELL
After a formative loan spell with Celtic Hearts, Lewis O’Donnell has put pen to paper on a deal that will extend his time on Tayside by another two years.
Appearing in all but one of the Maroon Machine’s League One games last term, the midfielder has racked up over 3,000 senior minutes in all competitions and has become an integral part of Michael Tidser’s promotion push.
O’Donnell also opened his senior account with confidence during his time at New Central Park, scoring a stunning long-range volley against eventual undefeated champions Falkirk.
RUAIRIDH ADAMS
Ruairidh Adams, a familiar face in first-team goalkeeper circles, will remain at United until at least the summer of 2025.
The 19-year-old also reaped the rewards of a temporary spell away from Tayside during the 2023/24 campaign as he played in all of Edinburgh City’s last 18 games of the League One campaign following his January arrival.
Not only was Adams successful with his goalkeeping performances during his time in the capital, but he was also the only goalscorer to score a goal from open play in the entire SPFL pyramid when playing between the sticks. His 96th-minute equalizer against Queen of the South was a rare highlight for the Citizens last season.
BRANDON FORBES
Brandon Forbes is our first Young Terrors star to extend his stay in Discovery City for another 12 months.
After arriving at Tannadice last summer following a Scottish Youth Cup final hat-trick for Renfrewshire-based Thorn Athletic, the mercurial striker hit the ground running at Foundation Park.
A goal-laden debut season followed, netting 18 times in all competitions. His impressive return of five in six games in the CAS Under-18 Elite League towards the end of the campaign went a long way towards the turnaround in United’s form.
ADAM CARNWATH
Adam Carnwath will continue his recovery from injury with the club after signing a one-year extension.
A breakout year, which featured his first-team debut in the SPFL Trust Trophy tie with Falkirk and regular opportunities to train with the first team, was cruelly halted in March after he sprained his ankle in a league clash with Heart of Midlothian.
Effective both out wide and in the middle, Carnwath has made positive strides since the subsequent operation and will look to pick up his booming performances again on his return to action next term.
SAMUEL-CLEALL HARDING
Baldragon Academy graduate and boyhood boy Arab Samuel Cleall-Harding will continue his association with the club into Year 12.
The towering defender has been a regular part of the first-team squads on matchday after recovering from a torn ACL in 2022 and will be hoping to make his long-awaited Terrors bow on our return to the top flight.
A goalscoring threat from set pieces, Harding scored four times for the U18s in 2023/24, while often captaining the side in excellent form.
SEAN BORLAND
Sean Borland is our latest youngster to sign a new one-year deal as he steps up to the senior game.
The former Hamilton Academical midfielder earned his first professional contract as a 16-year-old and showed maturity beyond his years during his trial.
As United built momentum in the latter stages of the season, Borland found the back of the net in victories over St Mirren and Queen’s Park.
DEPARTING PLAYERS
Mathew Cudjoe
We can confirm that Mathew Cudjoe has decided to call time on his Tannadice career. The club made an offer that reflected our vision for Mathew both financially and footballingly, however the Ghanaian has decided to continue his career elsewhere.
Since his arrival in November 2021, he has made 46 appearances in the Mandarin, finding the back of the net on five occasions.
Young Terrors
Thanks also to Under 18s Liam Trotter, Keir Bertie and Greg Petrie for their services in the Mandarin as they leave for pastures new.