Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes reckons he has signed a player with the determination to match his talent after the deadline day £300,00 signing of midfielder Kenny McLean from St Mirren.
The 23-year-old former Scotland under-21 international has signed a three and a half year contract with the Dons.
The deal to bring McLean north is the first six-figure fee the Dons have paid since former manager Jimmy Calderwood paid £100,000 for Darlington attacker Tommy Wright in August 2008, and is the biggest transfer at Pittodrie since Ebbe Skovdahl paid Moss £300,000 for defender Thomas Solberg in August 1999.
McInnes said: “We all recognise Kenny is a good player and whenever he has played against us he has been a standout performer.
“He has still to realise his potential, but even at 23 he has so many qualities to be admired.
“He is a good size, is good on the ball, is quick, has a great shot on him and he can play in a few different positions.
“He has so many attributes, but what really pleases me is the fact he sees Aberdeen as a stage where he can become even better and be successful.”
McLean, who will wear the number seven shirt, has moved to a new club but he will be among friends when he joins his new team-mates for training for the first time tomorrow.
He said: “I know a few of the players from when I was a youngster including Ryan Jack, Nicky Low and Clark Robertson and this move feels exactly the right one for me at this time.
“I had some great times at St Mirren and I wish them all the best for the future, but I’m now an Aberdeen player which is fantastic.
“My agent phoned me this morning to say a deal was on and it was a case of just getting in the car and driving up for the medical and the signing of the various papers.
“Aberdeen is a club on the up, that’s for sure, and the ambition being shown by the manager with the players secured on long-term deals, and the players coming in, was a massive incentive for me.”
Former Dons and St Mirren manager Alex Smith believes McInnes has pulled of a major coup.
He said: “A six figure fee transfer between two Scottish clubs is a rare occurrence these days, even more so when the Old Firm is not involved. But it is not an outrageous sum of money Aberdeen are parting with – it’s an astute investment in one of the best young players in the country.”