Calvin Ramsay became Preston North End’s first new arrival ahead of the 2023/24 season on Tuesday, and we've taken a look into his career so far.
Growing up in Aberdeen – the ‘Granite City’ – Calvin was kicking a ball around from an early age with his dad, Graham, who was also on the books of the Dons as a youngster.
It wouldn’t be long before Calvin would join up with local side Cove Youth Football Club and it was clear right from the very start that the boy may go far.
In an interview with The Athletic, his first ever coach, Brian Johnston described the young Scot as a “special player”, while also praising his attitude for never wanting to be the shining light – instead, always looking to pass and involve his teammates.
After just a few years, Aberdeen came calling and he made a rapid progression through the ranks before going on to sign a long-term deal with the club, prior to even making his senior bow, such was his potential.
His debut would come in March 2021 and five more appearances followed before the season was up.
It was then the following campaign where he really came to the forefront and made himself a regular on the right-hand side of the Aberdeen backline.
Calvin made 33 appearances in total that season, including six in the UEFA Europa Conference League, and as a result he was named as the Scottish Football Writers’ Association Young Player of the Year.
He also opened his senior goal tally in April 2022 with a stunning goal at the home of Dundee, cutting in from the right and firing in with his left foot from the edge of the area.
Attention was being grabbed by the energetic full back and he was soon the recipient of an Aberdeen club-record bid from Premier League giants Liverpool.
“A dream come true” for the youngster, Calvin became a Red on 19th June 2022, putting pen to paper on a long-term deal at Anfield.
After a brief time out with a back injury, Calvin began training with some of the most talented players in the world and was not looking one bit out of place, and he was rewarded with his debut for the Reds in a Champions League game at Anfield against Napoli.
A week later, he was all set to then make his first start in a Liverpool shirt in the Carabao Cup against Derby – a match the Reds would win on penalties – but the day was made even more special by receiving his first call-up to the Scotland national team that same morning.
Manager Steve Clarke had been a long-term admirer of the teenager and trusted him enough to hand him a first senior cap in a friendly against Turkey.
Things couldn’t have gone much better over the past year and a half for Calvin, but unfortunately injury struck in February 2023 and that was enough to bring his 2022/23 campaign to an early close.
Now set to join PNE on 15th July 2023, Calvin will look to earn invaluable experience in an exciting loan move to the Championship, and the 19-year-old admitted he can’t wait to get started.