Calvin Ramsay has joined Liverpool from Aberdeen for a club-record fee, the Dons have confirmed.
The right-back joins the Reds on a long-term contract believed to be worth an initial £4.5m, with a further £3.5m of appearance and success-based add-ons.
The 18-year-old was named Scottish Football Writers’ Association’s Young Player of the Year for 2021-22 and was also shortlisted for the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award.
“I’m just buzzing and it’s a dream come true really to be here,” he told Liverpoolfc.com in his first interview after sealing the transfer.
The teenager also has three Under-21 caps for Scotland and has been tipped as a future full international.
“It was a dream come true to play for Aberdeen, and now to be at one of the biggest, if not the biggest club in the world, it’s a massive achievement and I’m looking forward to trying to show the fans what I’ve got,” he said.
“Hopefully I can come in in pre-season, show everyone at the club, the staff, players what I’ve got and then we’ll see what happens from there.”
Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin said he believes with continued development Ramsay will make a big impression at Liverpool.
“There is no doubt this is an exciting opportunity for Calvin and his family,” he said.
“The AFC Youth Academy deserves a huge amount of credit for developing Calvin and it is testament to the pathway here at the Club that Calvin was given his debut in the first team, and not only that, was able to hold his own in the team last season.
“Liverpool are very lucky, they are getting a promising young talent. His stats in the first half of last season were amongst the top for full backs in the world. We certainly had high hopes for him and I’ve no doubt he will go from strength to strength in a very good team at Liverpool.”
Director of football, Steven Gunn, added: “Calvin moving to Liverpool is a clear sign of the continued commitment to youth development and is recognition of the progress of the academy over the last few years under the previous stewardship of Neil Simpson and now Gavin Levey.
“There’s much to look forward to with the quality we’re seeing come through the programme and we look forward to seeing more academy graduates in the First Team this season.”
Calvin, who grew up watching the Dons with his family paid tribute to them
He said: “As a young boy my dream was always to play for my home team, and I managed to do that, so it was a very special moment. To score my first goal for the club last season was also a great feeling. Every time I pulled on the Aberdeen shirt was special for myself and my family.
“My dad and I used to go to all the Aberdeen games in the Merkland Stand and it was always my dream to play for the club, and it was his dream for me, so to go on and do it, I still don’t think it has sunk in for my dad, or for me to a degree.
“All of my Youth Academy coaches helped me a lot along the way, every single one of them. They’ve all been brilliant in their own way. There are a lot of young players coming through the Youth Academy and there is a pathway there so I am sure if these young boys stick in, they can go on and become the next big thing.
“I want to say a special thank you to the fans. Since my debut they’ve always been brilliant with me, very supportive and I appreciate that a lot. I know it wasn’t the best season for us on the pitch and it was difficult for the fans, but they have been excellent with me and hopefully I with see them again one day.”
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