Dundee Football Club have signed midfielder Alfie Harrison on a short-term contract following a successful trial period. The 20-year-old's deal runs until January 2027 and includes an option for a further extension.

Head coach Steven Pressley confirmed the move was necessary due to a severe injury crisis. He stated the club has suffered a season's worth of injuries in just six or seven weeks, leaving eight first-team players unavailable.

Those currently sidelined include strikers Simon Murray, Bobby Wales and Joe Westley, midfielders Jack Moorhouse, Ryan Finnigan, Charlie Reilly and Fin Robertson, and suspended player Zan Besir. Pressley said all eight would consider themselves starters, depleting the squad's attacking and midfield options.

"We were forced back into the market due to unforeseen circumstances around injury," Pressley said. "I have never seen so many key players injured at one time in my management experience."

Harrison's background

Alfie Harrison began his career at Blackburn Rovers' academy before moving to Manchester City at the age of 10. He joined Newcastle United on a permanent transfer at 18, where he made 41 appearances for the Under-21 side, recording 15 assists. He was released by Newcastle last summer and did not make a competitive senior appearance for the club.

Harrison featured in friendly matches for Dundee during the recent international break, scoring in one of them. "From the first day I stepped into the building, it felt like the right atmosphere," Harrison said.

Pressley added that the young player had worked hard during his trial and possesses great potential. "He is a young player with great potential who can add competition to the squad," the Dundee boss stated.

Squad context and debut

The signing comes as Dundee sit fourth in the Scottish Premiership with 10 points from seven matches. Their recent form reads two wins, one draw and two losses from the last five games, with a 2-1 victory over Motherwell in their last outing on 19 September.

Top scorer Joe Westley, who has three goals this season, is among the injured players, increasing the need for reinforcements.

Harrison is expected to make his professional debut for Dundee in their next fixture, an away match against Falkirk on Saturday 10 October. Falkirk currently occupy 11th place in the table. The full schedule is available on our fixtures page.

With the squad stretched, Pressley indicated the team may have to rely on inexperienced young players in the coming weeks. He hopes to see progress on the fitness of Ryan Finnigan and Charlie Reilly within the next seven days. Alfie Harrison's contract with Dundee Football Club includes an option to extend beyond January 2027.

Read the full report at Daily Record Football