Kerr Smith has committed his future to Dundee United while putting an end to Aston Villa or Everton’s hopes of signing him in 2021, as reported by the Tangerines’ official website.
It’s certainly an exciting time to be a Dundee United fan.
Micky Mellon’s side cruised to the Championship title last season and, midway through 2020/21, look very well placed to avoid an immediate return to the second tier.
Furthermore, three of the most promising youngsters in Scottish football are currently plying their trade at Tannadice.
Logan Chalmers and Lewis Neilson are targets for Sean Dyche’s Burnley, according to The Sun (12 October, page 61), while Everton and Manchester United have shown an interest in defender Smith.
The Courier claimed only a few weeks ago that the teenager had travelled to Birmingham ahead of a potential move to Aston Villa.
But it seems that a switch to the Premier League has been placed on the backburner for now with Smith set to remain north of the border for the foreseeable future.
“Kerr had a lot of interest from some of the worlds biggest clubs, so we are delighted he has signed a contract with Dundee United FC,” explains sporting director Tony Asghar, who confirmed Aston Villa’s interest recently.
“The opportunity that he will have at this club is something that Kerr and his parents were keen on and we look forward to Kerr developing into a Dundee United first team player. He has shown in games that the transition will not take long.”
Aston Villa have made it their mission to lure some of Europe’s hottest prospects to Bodymoor Heath after revitalising their academy structure in 2019.
But under the new Brexit legislation that will come into force next year, deals for the likes of Oliwier Zych, Sil Swinkels and Lamare Bogarde, all of whom arrived in the summer, would have had to be scrapped.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
