Robert Ward believes Turriff United are making progress this season.
The Haughs club have opted to go with a youthful squad as manager Kris Hunter has blooded a number of young prospects in the first team.
This has seen up and down results and United sitting 14th with eight points from their first 14 games.
But striker Ward believes Turriff are on an upward trajectory.
The 18-year-old, who joined in the summer from Dundee United, said: “We’re definitely building something at Turriff and we are making progress.
“We’re still trying to figure out one or two things and gelling as a group, but we are definitely progressing.
“The management team are really good. I know the manager Kris Hunter well, I worked with him when I was younger at Formartine.
“He’s good with young players and Graeme Mathieson and Roy McBain have come in and made things more professional I think.”
Ward has bagged five goals this season, his latest in last Wednesday’s 3-1 loss to Huntly at Christie Park.
The Insch-based attacker is enjoying playing regularly and believes that justifies his decision to step down to the Highland League after his Tannadice departure.
Ward said: “It’s good for me to be getting 90 minutes every week.
“The main reason I came into the Highland League was to play every week.
“It’s nice to get goals, but it means nothing really if we don’t get the win.”