Development Team News
U20 Player Update
Just over a week and half of the transfer window being open and our U20 team have already completed several transactions with players coming in, loans being renewed and players being released.
Derek McKenzie was delighted to complete 2 new signings with Jack Cook and Scott Sutherland joining the club. Dunbar based centre half Cook joins following a spell in America but is no stranger to the setup as he undertook pre-season training with the squad before leaving for America. Former Livingston player Cook was also a member of the Scotland U18 schoolboys team last season and joins up with the squad immediately.
Scott Sutherland joins from Cowdenbeath having been their U20 top goal scorer so far this season including a brace against his new side in Octobers 2-2 draw between the sides. Forward Sutherland previously played with Dunfermline and it was here he became a Scottish youth international playing games against Switzerland and Republic of Ireland. Sutherland spent the first half of the season on loan at East Junior Superleague side Jeanfield Swifts, a deal which will be resurrected by Berwick until the end of the season.
Head Youth Coach Derek McKenzie commented about the double signing “ we are delighted to get the two players signed up. Both are quality players who have been on our radar for some time and it’s good to get them over the line before the 2nd half of the season starts. Whilst we are happy with the players at our disposal who have done us well in getting us to the top of the league we are always on the lookout to add quality to the squad and that is what we have done with these two signings and what we will continue to do looking towards the rest of this season and beyond. We are very proactive as a club looking for new players and most of the coaching staff spend their evening and weekends out at games looking for new players”
On the loan front deals have currently been extended for Stuart Allan and Ethan Anderson going back out to Crossgates Primrose, Gary Dolan (pictured left celebrating goal at Alloa with Ali McDonald) and Cameron Dickson (Craigroyston), Adam Forrest (Dalkeith), Ryan Porteous (Arniston Rangers), Kyle and Stephen Scott (Penicuik Athletic) and Ewan Herriot (Blackburn United) whilst more deals are at the final paperwork stages and will be announced soon.
Leaving the club during this window with the thanks and best wishes of the club are Lewis Swaney and Sam King who have both had their registrations with the club cancelled.
The U20s were due to play a closed door match on Wednesday evening but circumstances outwith the coaching staffs control led this to be frustratingly cancelled on Wednesday afternoon however they will be back in action next midweek in another closed door friendly match.
