The Thistle Archive

After several years in the Thistle Weir Youth Academy, this young midfielder, who can play centrally or in more attacking roles, got the call to join Kris Doolan's Thistle for some first team experience in the summer of 2023. Wearing the #3 shirt, Ché (along with his Academy mates Sallu Turay and Jamie Taggart) got the nod to come off the bench for the final half hour of a 2-1 pre-season friendly win at Kelty Hearts. As fate would have it, it was one Lochgilphead boy replacing another, as Ché came on for Zander MacKenzie! He played out his debut in an unusual right back role. Frustratingly, the final season of Ché's Academy journey was interrupted by an ankle break in September 2023, and he finally returned to full training early in the new year. His wee brother, Rudi, is also a player with the Thistle Weir Youth Academy.

The 17-year-old Ché was involved in several first-team matchday squads in the latter half of 2023-24 and, in early May 2024, he came on for his competitive debut late in the second-half at Tannadice, where champions Dundee United were enjoying their trophy presentation evening. In July 2024 - along with his Academy mates Luis Cameron & Thomas Horn - Ché formally joined the senior squad, signing a two-year modern apprentice deal. Having just completed his first pre-season in full-time football, Ché was fixed up for a season-long loan deal with Mick Kennedy's title-challengers, East Kilbride of the Lowland League. He literally made his debut on the same night (2 Oct 2024) coming off the bench in the 5-0 league win at Gretna.

The teenager made a loan switch to East Stirlingshire in January 2026, who were having a torrid time of it at the foot of the Lowland League table. He made 10 appearances and scored 4 times for the 'Shire before the end of the season. For his last huurrah in red and yellow he put in another couple of winning appearances with the title-challenging Thistle 19s in May 2026 before his release from Firhill was announced at the end of that month.