Dons youth

[Jute]

1-3 down at half time. 

[BigAl]

Lost 5-1 

[Jute]

Still got second leg to claw it back…..

[Jute]

Knocked out of Scottish cup today by Queen’s Park 3-1.

 

[tlg1903]

Seems as good a place to put this as any.  Long post alert but worth a read of both articles, particularly the first. 

https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/young-players-given-greater-flexibility-to-move-during-key-development-stage-as-cooperation-system-launches-in-scotland/

 

Quote

Wednesday 4 June 2025

A new Cooperation System, which will boost opportunities for young Scottish players during a vital stage of their development, is now live, with players free to move under the new system from the opening of the summer transfer window.

The proposal was passed by clubs earlier this year, following extensive consultation since the Scottish FA’s Transition Report was published in 2024. 

The Cooperation System provides greater flexibility to the previous domestic loan quotas by enabling players in the key ‘transition phase’ of 16-21, who are eligible to represent the Scotland national teams, to join a lower-league club but be able to move between the parent and cooperation club throughout the season to increase playing time.

Clubs can now enter into Cooperation Agreements, with players then free to move under the new system from the opening of the Transfer Window on Monday, 16 June.

Alongwith this change, a revamped KDM Evolution Trophy was also launched by the SPFL last month, in a further move to support the progression of the best young players in the country.

The new set-up will include William Hill Premiership B teams in a league phase format, providing more opportunities for youth players aged under 21, as they move from the academy environment to senior football.

Based on the Transition Report’s findings, the Under-18 level within Club Academy Scotland (CAS) and the SPFL Reserve League will also be replaced with a hybrid Under-19 category in CAS from the 2025/2026 season, with several overage players also allowed to participate.

Matches will take place on Monday as opposed to the current Friday, so clubs can expose the young players to the senior environment at the weekend and still include those who have had limited minutes on the Monday.

Andy Gould, Chief Football Officer, Scottish FA: “The overriding message from the Transition Report was that we haven’t been producing enough opportunities for young players to play with and against senior players during that golden age of opportunity between 16 and 21 years of age. We felt that the Cooperation System would be complimentary to the existing framework, with more freedom of movement for players who are on the cusp of the first team with their parent club.

“It’s rare in Scotland that we can get everyone united and on the same page and we are grateful to all the stakeholders who have worked together to make this happen. We are confident that we can see a significant increase in playing minutes for young players across the pyramid.”

Chris Docherty, Head of Men’s Elite Strategy, Scottish FA: “Throughout our research during the creation of the Transition Report, it was also clear from speaking to clubs that the gap between both the current Under-18 system and the SPFL Reserve League and the first team was far too big. This change to a new Under-19 level will benefit late maturing players, while the move to Monday matches should stop players missing minutes to sit on a bench at first team level.

“Also from consultations with coaches and ex-players, it was clear that the previous reserve system was a key part of their development and, by allowing a small number of overage players to play in this league, we hope we can create a hybrid model that benefits these young players by giving them chances to play against more experienced older pros as well as their peers.

“These changes – as well as the introduction of the revamped KDM Evolution Trophy – won’t fix all the problems instantly, but we believe they mark a significant moment as the game comes together to get behind the development of young Scottish players.”

Cooperation System Explained

The Cooperation System comes following the Transition Report, authored by Scottish FA Chief Football Officer, Andy Gould and Scottish FA Head of Men's Elite Strategy, Chris Docherty. The report sought to establish trends in successful player development from across the world and the authors have below answered some key questions relating to the new system.

Why has this Cooperation System been introduced?

Based on the research we have carried out into similar systems in other countries, the Cooperation System affords more opportunities for the best young talent to get playing time. It offers an alternative to clubs and players, who may otherwise be denied a loan opportunity, whilst also having limited playing opportunities at their parent club. For example, clubs competing in Europe may not able to send young players on loan due to Homegrown Matchday Quotas and clubs without a large budget may carry smaller squads and not send best young talents on loan in case of an injury crisis. The Cooperation System gives young players the option to receive critical playing experiences at an appropriate level within the pyramid.

How does this system work? 

A club can place a maximum of three players on a 'Cooperation List' and these players can move freely between the parent club and the club who they are in a Cooperation Agreement with. So, for example, if the parent club has injuries in the player’s position, they can recall the player, provided they give the minimum prescribed amount of notice to the Cooperation club. The parent club pays the salary for the player and - unlike with loan deals - they maintain the player's registration.

What other countries use a version of this system?

Club Cooperation systems already operate in a number of countries, such as Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Hungary and Serbia.

Which clubs can enter into these Cooperation Agreements?

A club in the SPFL Premiership or Championship is permitted to operate as the parent club, and sign Cooperation Agreements with clubs further down the pyramid (League One, League Two, Highland League and Lowland League). Championship clubs are also able to be both a parent club, to a club in a lower division, and a recipient club to a Premiership club. A club cannot sign a Cooperation Agreement with a club in the same league as their first team or B team.   

Can a club enter more than one Cooperation Agreement?

The parent club may sign a Cooperation Agreement with a different club at each level of the pyramid, but a parent club cannot have two Cooperation clubs within the same division.

Which players are eligible to move under the Cooperation System?

Only players who are eligible to play for the Scotland National Team and who are under the age of 21 would be able to participate on a ‘Cooperation List'. For the upcoming 2025/2026 Season, a player designated as Under-21 would refer to a player born in the calendar year 2005 or younger. This is in line with the definition used by other nations around Europe.

How many players can move to one club at a certain time?

The parent club, which pays the full salary for players under this system, is able to list a maximum of three players who would appear on a ‘Cooperation List’ between the two clubs.

Does the Cooperation System replace the previous Loans System?

The Cooperation System does not replace the Loans system, meaning clubs can use either of, or a combination of, both systems. A maximum of five players can be shared between two clubs (including loans and 'Cooperation List' players). Clubs can have a maximum of three loan players from club to club – therefore the maximum split would be 2/3 or 3/2 in terms of loan / cooperation. Clubs are under no obligation to use all three slots if they sign a Cooperation Agreement.

When can players move between clubs under the Cooperation System?

Clubs are entitled to change the players on the Cooperation List - to remove a player who has been recalled or not participating and replace him with another young player who may benefit from the experience - but only during the summer and winter transfer windows, as well as the extended loan windows that follows the transfer windows. Players who are on the Cooperation List are able to move freely between both clubs throughout the season, although there is a minimum playing time for a player to remain on a cooperation list beyond the cut-off date of 31 March. As a minimum, a player on a Cooperation List must have played at least 15 minutes in at least five matches for the Cooperation club before 31 March to be eligible to feature for the Cooperation club after that date. This would ensure that a club cannot receive extra assistance for key games late in the season with a player being made available just for those games.

I have to say on the face of it this is a really good idea and SFA should be commended.  Interestingly Aberdeen have opted out of the new u19 league https://www.afc.co.uk/2025/07/03/strategic-changes-to-aberdeen-fcs-youth-pathway/  and we are hiring a transition coach to manage the jump between u17 and first team.  

Quote

“As a result, our young players won’t be taking part in the newly adopted CAS U19s programme, but we will compete in the new CAS U17s format where the team will be predominantly made up of our schoolboys playing up an age group.

“When we assessed the individual needs of the players against the outcomes of our own review and the one carried out by the Scottish FA about what is the optimal pathway for young talent, we determined that being involved in a CAS U19s games programme isn’t the best route for our emerging talent.

“At the start of each season, and during periodic reviews throughout the season, we will make assessments on each individual player to decide where the best place is for them to get game time.

“The introduction of the cooperation agreements / loans will offer far greater flexibility and the opportunity to expose our best young players to senior, competitive football at a much younger age. We can also use standard loans, the U17s games programme, and of course, drive players towards the first team as early as possible.

This seems a quite bold move from the club but they are clearly buying into cooperation agreements as a means and I don't blame them.  Being able to put three of our best out somewhere and be able to send them back and forward will be great.   There's no having to worry about keeping them around as a just in case back up which can be a real block for the just about there but not quite players getting loans.  It will be interesting to see how the cub approach using this system.  

[Panda]

Cant put pressure on this lad, but a goalkeeper called Theo - I like it. 

He even looks like him ffs. It's like a FM24 regen.

 

[wee toon red]

Elgin announced as our first partner club. Strong suggestion that we’ll be pairing up with club(s) at other levels too.

[BigAl]

41 minutes ago, wee toon red said:

Elgin announced as our first partner club. Strong suggestion that we’ll be pairing up with club(s) at other levels too.

Certainly reads as potentially we'll have one partner club in the other divisions 

 

Aberdeen has confirmed its first ever Cooperation partnership with SPFL League 2 club Elgin City.

The historic agreement follows the introduction of the new Scottish FA initiative, which was created to boost opportunities for young Scottish players during a vital stage of their development.

It formed the basis on which the club announced its new strategic direction in this area two weeks ago, which will see AFC appoint a new Transition Manager and not take part in the CAS Under-19s games programme.

Instead, the Cooperation System provides greater flexibility to the previous domestic loan quotas by enabling players in the key ‘transition phase’ of 16-21 years of age who are eligible to represent the Scotland national teams, to join a lower-league club, playing competitive football, but also be able to move between the parent and cooperation club throughout the season to increase playing time.

The club can have multiple agreements across the pyramid, but only one on each tier. Elgin City, who made the promotion play-offs last season, will be the club’s partner in SPFL League 2.

And the first batch of players have agreed to move there, joining Allan Hale’s squad who are in the middle of the Premier Sports Cup Group Stages, with games against Inverness CT, East Kilbride and St Johnstone on the horizon.

Left-back Dylan Ross (17) and central defenders Jamie Mercer (17) and Noah McDonnell (17), who will be on a Standard Loan owing to his Northern Irish roots, will all make the move and are immediately available for selection.

Director of Football Steven Gunn said: “We are delighted to link with such a good club like Elgin City, and we believe they will provide an excellent platform for Dylan, Jamie and Noah, three players we have very high hopes for.

“We were at Borough Briggs back in January to play a Scottish Cup fixture and not only were we thoroughly impressed by the facilities, but it was clear the team have a solid identity and a talented staff.

“From our early discussions it was apparent we are aligned in terms of our priorities for the development of our players, and importantly, Elgin City demonstrated a sound knowledge of the players and a real desire to support their ongoing development.

“While we expect it to be a challenge for them, the opportunity for competitive first team football, in the professional league system, is significant for our players. We have taken a view that this is a better progression for our best young players, training daily at Cormack Park under a dedicated Transition Manager and being exposed to senior first team football at the weekend, rather than playing against their peer group in U-19 football.

“Coupled with that, we’ll also have games in the Aberdeenshire Cup, the Aberdeenshire Shield and the newly expanded KDM Evolution Trophy. Alongside this there is also scope for the players to be recalled for first team involvement helping to ensure a very busy and competitive schedule for our best talent.

“This agreement with Elgin City is just the first, that covers League 2, and we hope to have others announced shortly.”

Elgin City FC Chairman, Alan Murray, added: “We are very pleased to announce our club Cooperation partnership with Aberdeen FC, which we hope can be a win-win for both clubs. The new club Cooperation System is a landmark change in the development of 16–21-year-old Scottish players. The system is already established and working well in several European countries and we hope this collaboration will strengthen ties between our two clubs.

“We are really pleased that Aberdeen FC see our club as a great place to develop their elite young players, which is a credit to the excellent work being undertaken by our talented staff across the first team, academy and the business. The partnership should provide player development, flexibility and financial efficiency to both clubs.

“We are delighted to welcome Dylan Ross, Jamie Mercer and Noah McDonnell to Elgin City and we hope that this can be the start of a long-lasting partnership between our clubs”

[Jute]

Guessing Peterhead or Cove for league 1 tie up.

[tlg1903]

32 minutes ago, Jute said:

Guessing Peterhead or Cove for league 1 tie up.

I guess it depends on what clubs need and what we have to offer. I wouldn't rule out inverness being a contender for league one.  Arbroath could be a good option for the championship, anyone we send there is likely to get a lot of game time and given they are part time and it's not too far away it would be easy for players to still train at cormack park also. 

[Stewart]

https://www.afc.co.uk/2025/07/15/dons-confirm-second-cooperative-agreement/

Kelty Hearts for League One.

Exciting young prospects Lewis Carrol (17), Joseph Teasdale (17) and Cooper Masson (16), who featured in the first team friendly match against Cove last weekend, will join Thomas O’Ware’s squad as they prepare to face Brora Rangers this evening in their first Premier Sports Cup Group Stage match.

 

[wee toon red]

Kelty Hearts are our league 1 club. Surprised it isn’t one of the north east clubs.

[Slim]

Won't somebody think of the ESG KPI's?

[Jute]

Draw for KDM Cup which B teams are in this season made today. 
 

Personally don’t agree with B teams being in this as it devalues the competition.