Robert Gordon's College congratulates Louis G (S5) who has signed a professional contract with Scottish Premiership club Dundee FC.

Louis has been with Dundee FC Youth Academy since 2019, playing as a centre back having trialled in 2018 while playing for East End Lewis Youth in Aberdeen. Louis has been playing in the U18 and U21 squads this season, playing against experienced professionals such as Kemar Roofe of Rangers FC.

Louis shared: "I am absolutely delighted to sign my first full time professional football contract. I’ve been going to Dundee FC since I was eleven. My boys club, East End Lewis, played a friendly against a DFC Academy team and I was spotted by their coach Steve Murray (who played for Celtic in the 1970s). I felt at home immediately and signed for the Academy after a period on trial. To now be signing as a professional footballer is a dream come true.

"I am a defender, mainly at centre half and occasionally at right back.  In all honesty, I am happy playing in any position as I just love playing football. As a defender, I’ve always been quick and had good anticipation and I’ve always been effective at defending 1-on-1. The coaches at Dundee like my bravery and combativeness and the fact that I enjoy defending. I continually work hard on my touch, my range of passing, my dribbling and my communication. There are always things to work on, and I am really looking forward to the opportunity to train full time, which will really help me to keep improving.

"My most memorable game was earlier this season when I started for the under 21s away to Rangers B.  My coaches told me before the game that I was going to be marking Kemar Roofe, the Rangers first team player and Jamaican internationalist. I learned so much in that 90 minutes. Roofe’s movement and the timing of his runs were so much better than anyone I’ve ever played against and marking him gave me an insight to the level that I need to work towards. 

"I’ve had a great deal of support over the years. The College has been brilliant in supporting me, especially Mrs McEwan and Miss MacGregor. This year, RGC tailored my timetable around my football and I’ve worked to keep up with my studies to keep my teachers and my parents happy.

"Travelling down to Dundee for training three times a week and attending games all over Scotland at the weekend has been a massive commitment for my whole family. My parents have always said that if I work hard at my football and work hard at school, then they will support me in my ambition of becoming a footballer. I appreciate all that they do for me. I have to thank my Grandad, John Fitzpatrick, who played for Manchester United in the 1960s and 1970s. He inspired me to follow this path and gave me an understanding of how much hard work and dedication is needed to make your way in the game. He died in 2020, so sadly he didn’t get to see me realise my ambition of becoming a professional footballer.

"I realise that this is the first step in my football career and I still have a lot of development ahead of me. As my Grandad would have said, 'the real hard work starts now'."

Mrs McEwan, Guidance Teacher, said: "We are all incredibly proud of Louis and what he has already achieved in football. Louis' dedication to his sport is second to none but to balance that with 100% commitment to his academic studies should not be underestimated. I am glad we were able to be flexible with Louis' timetable in S5 but this involved a huge amount of self motivation and independence from Louis himself and I know his SQA results in August will reflect his hard work. He is an inspiration to our young, aspiring footballers at RGC and we look forward to following his career."

Mr McNeil, Head of Football, highlighted: "To reach professional level in any sport takes an incredible amount of hard work, determination and commitment, not least in Louis' case having been travelling to Dundee three times a week for the last five years and all across the country every weekend to play matches for Dundee FC. I'm delighted for Louis and his family that his efforts have been recognised with a professional contract and look forward to watching Louis' career develop."