Caley Thistle have announced the signing of 10 youth players on professional contracts.
The teenage talents and their parents and guardians gathered at the stadium today for a ceremonial signing of their modern apprenticeship contracts watched by chairman Graham Rae, manager John Robertson, academy director Danny MacDonald and head of youth Charlie Christie.
The oldest of the 10 new signings is midfielder Kieran Chalmers, a Scottish schoolboy internationalist from Dingwall Academy, who has been with the club since he was 14.
Kieran was born in 2000 – one year ahead of the other 9 signings, who play in the high achieving under-17 squad which is close to clinching the Scottish under -17 Programme 2 League, with 20 wins from 22 games.
Leading the under-17 signings is striker Daniel MacKay of Millburn Academy, who has been starring for Scotland Schoolboys under-18s and has broken into the first team squad, becoming the youngest player to play and score for the club.
The other signings are defenders Gabriel Hastings, Ryan Fyffe, Harry Nicolson and Cameron Harper; midfielders Jack Brown, Ross Gunn and Roddy MacGregor and striker Roddy Kennedy.
Ross Gunn is the furthest travelled player in the squad, hailing from Wick.
Manager Robertson said: “We have an outstanding group of young players, who all deserve the chance of making a career in football.
“The ball is at their feet. The club’s future is in good hands with this outstanding crop of players.”
Chairman Rae said: “The signing of these 10 young starlets is a demonstration of our huge commitment to youth development. This is the future of this club.
“We have produced stars in Ryan Christie, Graeme Shinnie and Liam Polworth and the Class of 2018 promises something very special.”