The club are delighted to confirm that young professionals Dean Watson and Charlie Exley have agreed one year contracts. Both players have played in all four of our friendlies as Trialists. 

Dean, who will be 19 in September, hails from Gretna and was released from Carlisle United's Academy at the end of last season where he worked under previous Queens manager Gavin Skelton. He follows the same route to Palmerston previously taken by Jordan Marshall. He will go straight into the squad for Saturday's cup tie with Stranraer subject to International Clearance being received.

Newcastle native Charlie, who turns 18 next Saturday, has been with us for a year now already but has been prevented from registering by FIFA red tape with respect to u18's changing country. Unfortunately he cannot be registered until his 18th birthday next week and he will not be available for our first three Betfred Cup matches. 

Manager Gary Naysmith said, "I am delighted that both Charlie and Dean have agreed to sign their first professional contracts with the club. Both young players have impressed from day one in pre season and will only continue to improve the more they train with us. Dean is a hard working central midfield player who likes to get on the ball whilst Charlie is an athletic left footed player who is primarily a left back. They will train with the first team squad every day and it’s now up to them to try and push on and try and get into the starting eleven. I look forward to working with both players in the coming season”. 

Discussions are also continuing with the other two Trialists who featured for us in pre-season and we hope to have further news on that front soon.