The Graduate

Pre contracted Nike Academy man, Alex Whittle, hopes to further Liverpool reputation at Dunfermline

Pars pre contract signing Alex Whittle has told the website that the Nike Academy was instrumental in securing him a three year contract:-

"I came to Scotland for a trial and played a few games. Neil McCann recommended me to the gaffer and he watched me in a game against Livingston last week. I did quite well in the game and he decided to offer me a contract which I am delighted about."

The Liverpudlian was with Liverpool FC from the age of six until he was released just short of his 18th birthday. He joined the Nike Academy for the 2011-12 season where he played games and enjoyed his football. Trials followed at Brighton and at Hearts but he appreciated the influences at the Academy who found him another opportunity:-

"Jimmy Gilligan and Matt Wells put a lot of time and effort into me. They helped me out a lot. The Nike Academy tries to get players who have been released by clubs back into football on a full time basis. We play games with an aim to earn a contract with a professional club."

Alex who was 19 in March can play left or right midfield and he hopes to make as big an impact as previous Liverpool youth players who have come to East End Park. Adam Hammill spent six months on loan at East End Park in 2007, helping the club to the Scottish Cup final, while Calum Woods who joined the Pars in July 2006 went on to make 159 appearances over a five season period before being signed by Huddersfield Town at the start of this season.

"Adam was a few years older than me and I have heard of Calum Woods but don't know him."

Alex, who has represented England at under-16 level, is accustomed to living away from home but he has been impressed with the "nice people" that he has met at Dunfermline. He trained with the squad on Thursday, will join in again on Friday before taking in the important home game against Aberdeen on Saturday. In a week's time he will play for Dunfermline against a Nike Academy XI.

Jim Jefferies fought off a late bid from Livingston to sign the attacking midfielder on a pre-contract after he starred in a bounce match against the Almondvale outfit. The gaffer explained further:-

"He was a player we were recommended to go and see playing for the Nike Academy. We brought three up to play against Livingston and the boy showed up well. He was a wide player on the right who did well coming in off his left foot. He impressed us so we went to sign him and Livingston had made a late move so it proved he caught the eye of other people.

"I know this club has a history of signing players from Liverpool so hopefully he can have the same success. He will play in a closed doors game near the end of the season alongside a couple of other trialists. I wouldn't rule out making another signing from that avenue.

"Over the years you get a good eye for a player and this one is good enough to go on and do well for us. He has the potential to move on even further.  You don't get picked up by clubs like Liverpool unless you have natural talent.  I have high hopes that he can do well for Dunfermline both on the pitch and maybe sometime in the future when he moves on."