Callan Hamill spoke to us recently, and accepting a scholarship deal in the Summer, the Scottish defender has settled into life nicely in north London. 

Football has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started playing when I was five, going along to a local "mini kickers" session with my friends, and from that very first day I was hooked. I grew up in Bannockburn, a small town in Stirling, and spent five happy years with my local boys' club, Milton. 

At school, football was everything to me. I supported my local team, Stirling Albion, and looked up to players like Billy Gilmour and Kieran Tierney - young Scots who broke through early and became role models I wanted to follow. 

I started out as a striker, scoring plenty of goals, before dropping into midfield as I got older. By the time I joined St Johnstone, a coach suggested that my future was in defence. At first, I wasn't convinced, but it turned out to be the best decision I could have made. 

After some trials that didn't work out, being signed by St Johnstone was a huge relief. I was proud, grateful, and determined to make the most of the opportunity. I spent six fantastic years there, part of a really close-knit group where every day was filled with energy and laughter. 

Making my first-team debut in the final game of last season against Dundee was a special moment. Playing in front of thousands of fans, with my family and friends in the stands, was an incredible experience and one I'll never forget. 

The interest from Arsenal started in February 2024. My mum took a phone call that lasted much longer than usual, and when she finally told me Arsenal wanted me on trial, I couldn't believe it. I joined up at Hale End and played my first game against St Albans, which we won 4-1 before being invited to travel to Germany with the under-18s. 

On the final day, Per Mertesacker and Jack Wilshere called me in for a chat. Per didn't give much away at first, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but when they offered me a scholarship, I was over the moon. The first thing I did was call my mum and dad, who were in tears of pride, and my friends couldn't believe it either. It was a surreal and unforgettable moment. 

Since arriving at Arsenal, I've loved every second. I've settled in brilliantly thanks to my team-mates, the coaching staff, and everyone who has supported me off the pitch. I'm proud to be one of the under-18s captains, as leadership is one of my strongest qualities, and I've also had the honour of captaining my country. 

I've already had the chance to train with the first-team, which was a fantastic experience. The biggest difference is the level of detail they work at, which is exactly what you'd expect from players competing at the very highest level. For me, it's all about learning, improving, and aiming to reach that standard myself.