Dundee United striker Owen Stirton says it's "a dream come true" to be playing for the club he supported as a boy and hopes he can be a role model like former Tangerines stars Gary Mackay-Steven and Nadir Ciftci were for him.
The 18-year-old, who grew up watching United, looks set to have a big part to play on the park for Jim Goodwin's side over the coming years after signing a deal until the summer of 2028.
"For the next few years my targets are to be that number nine for United," Stirton said.
"I have been a fan all my life and to be the number nine for United would be a dream come true for me and that is why I decided to stay and hopefully in a few years that will be me.
"Being a United fan you dream of playing for United and that is all I have wanted to do so I am happy to be able to do that just now.
"You have got to be patient and when I got the chance I feel I did myself no harm in the team."
Forfar-born Stirton has many happy memories following United from the stands as a little boy cheering on his heroes.
"They [the games] were brilliant, especially the derbies," he added.
"Both the 6-2 games, they were unbelievable memories and even the 2010 Scottish Cup final , I was there when I was three years old and hopefully this year could be another special year in the Scottish Cup.
"I was a winger back in the day and Gary Mackay-Steven was my favourite player, I loved watching him. And then probably Nadir Ciftci , he was another one of my favourites.
"It is a dream come to true to be honest and hopefully for boys growing up I can be their idol and they can look up to me like I did to the players back then."
