Everton have been linked with Aidrieonian’s talented u18 twins Cole and Dylan Williams, according to reports today.
Footballer Insider says Everton and Crystal Palace are tracking the two midfielders, who have yet to make an appearance for the Airdrie first team but have appeared on the first team bench at the age of just 16.
The midfielders are highly rated in Scottish football circles and last weekend Dylan scored an incredible five goals from midfield in a 10-1 thrashing of Elgin City u18s. Alongside twin brother Cole he is regarded as one of the top prospects from the Aidrie academy system.
After his five-goal display a member of the Airdrie media team labelled him the ‘Perthshire Pirlo’ and told fans to ‘get excited’ about the talented youngster.
Everton would have to battle Palace for the signatures of the youngsters. The London side has previously raided Airdrie for young talent and Justin Devenny made his Premier League debut for the club last weekend after signing from the Scottish side.
While the rumours are indeed just vague links at the moment, the signing of talented youngsters from the UK does fit Everton’s recent recruitment strategy. The club signed u18s striker Cieran Loney from Partick Thistle in the summer just weeks after his first team debut at the age of 16, while Linfield’s Braiden Graham signed after becoming the Northern Irish side’s youngest ever goalscorer.
Everton have also moved to sign Justin Clarke from AFC Wimbledon and Gambia’s Francis Gomez, who has since been loaned to Lyon for the season. Other young players to arrive in recent windows include Omari Benjamin from Arsenal and Kingsford Boakye from AC Milan as Everton look to bolster their academy and u21 ranks.