The recent departure of Calvin Ramsay to Liverpool has highlighted the sterling job the Aberdeen Youth Academy does in producing players ready for first team football.
Alfie Bavidge is among the latest crop of academy graduates who have signed full-time deals with the Dons.
There are plenty at Pittodrie who have high hopes for the 16-year-old striker who was given the opportunity to train with the first team towards the end of last season.
Clubs north and south of the border were interested in signing Bavidge but the youngster has opted to cut his teeth as a professional at Pittodrie.
What type of player is he?
Bavidge possesses all of the attributes required to make a great striker. He has strength and pace and can score goals with both feet.
He represented Scotland at the under-16 and under-17 level and finished top scorer at last year’s Victory Shield.
Aberdeen FC academy director Gavin Levey said Bavidge stood out an early age.
He said: “He’s been in the academy since under 10s, so he’s been involved with the club from the age of eight.
“His pace was the eye-catching thing for the scouting team. The four-a-side pitches weren’t big enough for him because he was so quick!”
Levey added: “As well as being very fast he has power. He more than held his own playing for the under-18s throughout last season whilst still at school. Those are his big attributes and to add to that, he can finish with both feet.
“He’s got a great personality and good leadership qualities. He’s a hard worker, he listens, asks questions and takes on information really well.”
Liverpool defender Calvin Ramsay and current Dons midfielders Connor Barron and Dean Campbell are among the recent players who have progressed from the SFA performance programme at Hazlehead.
The family trade
Bavidge comes from fine footballing stock.
He is the son of former Caley Thistle and Peterhead striker Martin, who also had spells at Forfar Athletic and Inverurie Locos.
His grandfather Mitch Bavidge played for Dundee, Raith Rovers and a host of Highland League teams.
ACADEMY AWARDS 2021 🏆
Today we will look back on all the individual award winners. We start with U16/18s Striker, Alfie Bavidge who was the worthy winner of the Andrew Cheyne Special Recognition Award. pic.twitter.com/sI2RGQJEzH
— Aberdeen FC Youth Academy (@AberdeenFCYouth) December 9, 2021
Another Hazlehead product
Bavidge, who joined the Dons from Dyce Boys Club, was part of the Scottish FA’s performance school at Hazlehead Academy.
The performance schools programme is designed to give talented youngsters the chance to practise football on a daily basis in an education environment.
Kai Watson, Alfie Stewart and Findlay Marshall have also gone full-time with the Dons after being part of the programme at Hazlehead Academy.
Congratulations to September's @StatoilUK Young Talent of the month U11 Alfie Bavidge #HeroesofTomorrow #reward https://t.co/0PAybhDPxJ pic.twitter.com/XG2uobSGW2
— Aberdeen FC Youth Academy (@AberdeenFCYouth) October 10, 2016
Is he the next star to emerge from Pittodrie?
The youngster will hope to get more opportunities to be involved with Jim Goodwin’s first team from an early age.
It is easy to see why there is excitement around Bavidge.
He has the tools required to be a top centre forward and if he puts in the hard work he could become another Hazlehead Academy and AFC Youth Academy graduate to force his way into the Dons’ starting line-up.