The 17-year-old midfielder will become part of Fulham’s Development squad for the remainder of the current season.
On the transfer, Aberdeen Chief Executive Duncan Fraser said: “While we made Jack an extremely good offer to remain at Pittodrie, having signed him straight from school, he has chosen to move on. When Craig and I met with Jack recently Craig emphasised that he would continue to be developed by being involved with the first team with a view to him becoming a first team squad member next season.
“From a football perspective everyone at the Club hoped that he should remain with the Club to compete his development which we believe in the long-term would have been in his best interests. However in the end he and his advisor thought otherwise. It was clear that a decision to move south was already the preferred option which is disappointing.”
However Fraser painted a bleak picture for our game’s future, he said: “There is a bigger issue here for the SPL and Scottish football in that we are beginning to see young Scottish talent moving south before they have fully developed with the teams they signed for as youngsters.
“The economic climate means nurturing home talent is the only way forward for all clubs in this country. However if, after investing huge sums bringing youngsters through the ranks, top flight English clubs can simply sign players for relatively small training compensation levels given the television income in England and before the players have even had the opportunity to make an impact at top team level, then we have real challenges ahead of us. It is an issue we will seek to raise with the SPL and the SFA to see what further steps can be taken to safeguard our clubs interests.
“In terms of this particular transfer we received full value on the training compensation side while agreeing to further add on terms in order to allow the player to move south before his contract expired in the summer as it is in everyone’s best interests to bring this matter to a conclusion. Further, it will enable young talented Under 19 players at the Club, who want to be here, to stake a claim to step up which is what we want them to do.
“However disappointed we are in relation to this development we wish Jack the very best for the future.”
