Defender Scott Ross is relishing his second chance at Cove Rangers after being frozen out at Peterhead.
Blue Toon manager Jim McInally said the 26-year-old would not play for the club again after he was sent off in last month’s 4-2 defeat by Stirling Albion.
Ross signed a three-year deal with Highland League leaders Cove this week and made his debut in Wednesday’s 3-0 victory against Keith in the quarter-finals of the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup.
Ross, who spent seven years at Balmoor, said: “It was disappointing how things ended at Peterhead.
“I am pleased to now be at Cove Rangers and be able get some games under my belt. I just want to play football.
“As soon as Jim said what he said, I knew I was going to have to find a new club.
“At 26, I’m still young for a central defender so I need to be playing football.
“I’m grateful Cove have given me that opportunity.
“There were a few different options but I put them on the backburner because I wanted to move to Cove.
“It is an ambitious club. I know what they want to do this season and hopefully I can play a part in that.
“The aim is to win the league this year and hopefully get up through the play-offs.”
Ross has been reunited with former team-mate Ryan Strachan, who made the move from Peterhead to the Highland League title contenders in the summer.
The defender added: “I have played alongside Ryan Strachan as long as I remember, while there are boys such as Mitch Megginson who I know from when I was at Aberdeen. It is a great dressing-room at Cove Rangers and I am happy to be here.
“I was pleased to get off to a winning start. It was a good performance from the boys and nice to keep a clean sheet. We upped the tempo after half-time and managed to get the goals to take us through.
“Winning cup games is great to keep the momentum going but we know the league is the priority.”
Cove manager John Sheran said: “Scott is a very good defender. He looked very comfortable against Keith and I expect him to get better once he gets that understanding with his new team-mates.
“There is no pressure on him.”