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Midfielder Ali Coote insists stepping back from first team football will benefit him in the long-term after joining Brentford on a three-year deal from Dundee United.
The 19-year-old sealed his switch to the English Championship club for an undisclosed fee on Thursday and will link up with the Bees’ B team, who played non-competitive matches against the likes of Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Manchester United last term.
Coote, who joins up with former Celtic forward Theo Archibald in the B side, made 16 appearances for United last season but admits he is relishing the challenge of forcing his way into the first team reckoning at Griffin Park.
Speaking to brentfordfc.com, he said: “Coming down here, I know I’m further away from the first team but I know there is an end goal and I know if you play well and work hard there will be a reward at the end of it. That’s been made clear that that can happen.
“I want to get back to thoroughly enjoying my football, nailing a place in the B team and then examine my goals as the season goes on.
“With scraping the academy and just taking on the two teams, really focussing on a small bunch of players, that’s what caught my eye.
“It was 16 first team appearances I made last year, most of them being subby.
“I would have liked more but to start in an (Irn Bru) cup final and to win it was probably the highlight of the season.”
Coote admits he is happy to have a familiar face in Archibald in the Brentford dressing room, while former Rangers midfielder Lewis Macleod is a member of the first team squad.
He added: “I know Theo well, I’ve played international with him for a few years so I’m good pals with him.
“It’s a very exciting time for me moving down and away from my family and I can’t wait to get started.
“It’s a very professional and organised club, I’ve moved into my accommodation and everything has been smooth so far.”
Brentford head of football operations Robert Rowan said: “Ali is a player we’ve tracked for quite some time up in Scotland and, like Theo, he’s a player I’ve known from previous roles.
“He’s an attacking player who’s probably best played as a number ten but can play on the left side.
“He’s an intelligent player with a good level of technical skills whom I’m confident will fit into our group of players.”
