Everton have suffered a fresh transfer blow after a young target signed his first professional deal for his current club.
Scottish youngster Kerr Smith, who was previously headhunted by Everton and a host of other English clubs (as per The Courier), has turned professional after agreeing to fresh terms at Dundee United.
Smith seems to have taken a different pathway to another promising Dundee United talent in Scott Banks, who opted to reject fresh terms in order to move to the youth squad of Premier League side Crystal Palace.
Upon signing terms, the Tangerines acknowledged that the ‘highly sought-after young defender has been subject to interest from a number of English Premier League clubs’ over the last few months.
Smith is contracted to the club for a further three years, keeping him at Tannadice until June 2023. The defender impressed as a 15-year-old in a pre-season friendly against Premier League opposition in Sheffield United over the summer.
Upon signing his new deal, Dundee United’d sporting director Tony Asghar said:
“Kerr had a lot of interest from some of the worlds (sic) biggest clubs, so we are delighted he has signed a contract with Dundee United FC.
“The opportunity that he will have at this club is something that Kerr and his parents were keen on and we look forward to Kerr developing into a Dundee United first team player.
“He has shown in games that the transition will not take long.”
Read Everton Verdict
Whilst Everton may feel they have lost out, Smith will have the chance to develop with regular senior football. At just 16 years old and seemingly going straight into Dundee United’s first team plans, Smith will have a senior platform to express his talents.
If we were to impress in a few years, he could be snapped up in a bargain move by the Toffees in the knowledge that he would have senior experience behind him. Never say never to a Kerr Smith deal!
