Youth to Pro 2025

Heart of Midlothian Football Club is delighted to confirm that nine players from the Hearts Academy have penned their first professional contracts.

 

The talented youngsters will continue their development at Riccarton, and with the formation of the new Under-19s league, push for spots in the B Team and U19 squads as the 2025/26 campaign progresses.

 

Counting multiple youth internationals within the ranks, the new recruits will benefit from a mixture of minutes at B Team level with Angus Beith alongside the newly formed Under-19s side headed up by David McNeil. 

 

Andrew Webster, Academy Director, said: “It's a reward for their hard work up to this point. They can celebrate this moment and appreciate making it to the first rung of the ladder.

 

"It's a great time to celebrate with the players and their families and I congratulate them all. The demands of a professional environment are different, but the coaching staff will be there to help them along the way."

 

Shelley Kerr, Technical Development Manager, added: "One of the most important things for us as a club, is to have evidence of a robust pathway. 

 

"Players and their families have clarity on what that looks like. Of course, individual performance is key, but it's important for Hearts to give our young players exposure to as many different environments as possible."

 

Meet The Players

 

Alfie Wilson –2009 –Defender – Grassroots: Linlithgow Rose

 

Predominantly a right back but also capable of playing centrally, Alfie has been with Hearts since the age of 8, and attended our Balerno Performance School. 

 

Linlithgow native Alfie is the twin brother of Stanley, and the younger brother of first team forward James Wilson. 

 

With keen anticipation, and defensive instincts, Alfie has marked himself out with an impressive passing ability to build passages of play and has been a standout across Professional Development Phase (PDP) training this summer. 

 

Connor Dow – 2009 – Striker – Grassroots: Benarty Astros / Blue Brazil

 

After previously signing his professional deal in January 2025, Connor completed his Youth to Pro transition this summer.

 

With us since the age of eight, Connor has quickly made his mark in the senior ranks with three goals in seven games for the B Team.

 

A well-rounded forward, capable of pressing, holding, and running in behind, Connor has been capped at multiple age groups for Scotland. 

 

Euan Glasgow – 2008 – Defender – Grassroots: Currie Star FC

 

Another of the summer's recruits to have been with Hearts since a young age, Euan joined the club as a nine-year-old and attended our Balerno school.

 

Born in Portugal, but raised in Scotland, Euan already holds multiple Scotland youth caps - and has been called for a training camp by Portugal at youth level.

 

An aggressive defender with excellent leadership skills, Euan spent the majority of last season skippering the Under-18s.

 

Jaedon Donkor – 2009 – Winger -  Grassroots: Levels FC

 

A summer acquisition from Manchester United’s academy, Jaedon has previously been on the books of Arsenal since the age of 11.

 

Hearts defeated competition on both sides of the border for his signature, and Jaedon has already featured for both U19s and B Team in their pre-season schedules. 

 

Predominantly playing right wing, but left footed, he's a tricky winger that can play on both flanks

 

James Mulholland – 2008 – Defender/Midfielder – Grassroots: The Spartans

 

Joining Hearts at U15s from Spartans Youth, James mainly plays as a central midfielder, but is also capable of playing in defence.

 

Featuring mainly for U18s last year, Mulholland brings bags of energy in his game, crafting driving runs forward in and out of possession, and has a penchant for the spectacular as evidenced by his goals at U18s level last season. 

 

Liam Walker – 2009 – Defender/Midfielder – Grassroots: Templehall United

 

With Hearts since the age of 8, and another attendee of our Balerno Performance School, Liam is a left sided player who is also capable of playing in the centre of midfield. 

 

Capped at Scotland age groups multiple times, Liam boasts deft ball control; with quick feet and creative ability to get forward either wide or centrally.

 

Liam has already featured in B Team games this season scored the opener in under a minute against Motherwell in the U19s’ first league game. 

Sam Dickov – 2009 – Forward – Grassroots: East Calder CFC

 

Joining Hearts at 12 years old, Sam plays across the front line, either wide or through the middle. 

 

Sam caught the eye with a well taken hat-trick in a pre-season game against Bamber Bridge this year. 

 

Bringing energy to the attack, Dickov also offers a physical element with an ability to pin and link, as well as getting in the box to score, with real instincts in and around the box. 

Stanley Wilson – 2009 – Midfielder – Grassroots: Linlithgow Rose

 

A versatile central midfielder, Stanley is Alfie's twin brother and the younger brother of James.

 

With Hearts since the age of 8, an attendee of Balerno Performance School, Stanley has been capped at Scotland age groups multiple times.

Blessed with a remarkable engine, Stanley offers a robust threat with his energetic pressing and tackling, and a strong ability to drive forward with the ball.

 

Tommy North – 2008 – Forward – Grassroots: Edinburgh City Youth

 

Tommy joined the Jambos from Livingston’s academy this summer, with Hearts again defeating competition from south of the border for his signature.

 

Initially a Hearts youth player at foundation level, Tommy returns to Hearts as an imposing 6ft+ striker that can play across the front line.

 

Strong, athletic, and comfortable on the ball, Tommy has already hit the goal trail for the B Team this season.