A first taste of senior football is always going to be a test for a young player.
Everton in particular have a lot of exciting teenagers both in the U23s and U18s setup at the miunte, with many harbouring ambitions of playing week in, week at out at the highest level possible.
For Korede Adedoyin, who signed his first professional contract with the Blues before moving to Hamilton Academical on loan in July, the route to first-team football seemed to be edging nearer.
His loan move was a welcome reward for what had been a great 2018/19 for the youngster as part of the U18s setup, bagging 13 goals in 21 games across all competitions.
Speaking after signing his first professional deal with the club he has been at since the age of 10, the teenager was delighted to be able to take the next step.
He said: "I am very grateful to all the academy coaches who have helped me become who I am today. The likes of Sean Lundon, Paul Tait and Keith Southern have been fantastic for me.
"Everton has helped me a lot not just on the pitch, but off the pitch, too. Now I just want to repay the belief they have shown in me, work as hard as I can and continue to progress."
That progression was judged to be a loan move to Hamilton Academical in the summer after a number of clubs had submitted their interest in potentially taking the youngster on a permanent basis.
Hamilton's Head Coach, Brian Rice, said at the time: "It’s fantastic to be attracting young talent from a team like Everton and what better place to come than a club in the top tier of Scottish football.
"Korede’s arrival gives me options now in the attacking department and I’m sure he will learn a lot throughout his time here."
So far, however, it seems that competition for places has restricted the Blues teenager somewhat.
Adedoyin is yet to be involved in the senior squad for Hamilton across their matches so far this season, but is believed to be involved in first team training with his temporary side.
Making a step from the U18s was never going to be an easy task, and it's understandable the teenager may need time to properly adjust to his new surroundings.
And, thankfully, there's now signs that could already be the case.
The youngster took part in the Scottish club's most recent reserve match against Kilmarnock last week, and popped up with his first goal this season with a strike from 18 yards.
That goal helped Hamilton reserves to a 3-2 win which pushed them up to second in the table after five games, three points behind Hearts.
Having been a crucial member of Tait's under-18s last term, getting back on the scoresheet will no doubt be a big boost of confidence to the teenager.
And, perhaps, this loan move so far has proved an eye-opener in how big the gap between under-18 level and a first team really is.
All being well, Adedoyin will hope to find himself picking up some first team minutes in the future as he gets his head down on the training pitch to improve.
