New signing Kenny McLean believes he can realise his ambition of winning silverware with the Dons.
The 23-year-old completed a £300,000 deadline day move from St Mirren to Pittodrie and after signing a three and a half year contract is confident he can help Derek McInnes’ side win more trophies.
The former Scotland under-21 international said McInnes played a major role in convincing him to move from Paisley: “It was the ambition the manager showed that sold me on the move. The club is on the up. The team is doing well, has a massive supporter-base and I think it will be a great move.
“The team showed what it is capable of by winning the League Cup last season and I am here to repeat that in the coming years.
“We are out of both cups, which isn’t ideal, but there are still 15 games to go in the league and we want to finish the season as strongly as possible.”
A number of clubs from England were keeping tabs on McLean, but the midfielder said he did not have options to consider when Aberdeen made its move.
He said: “Nothing really came up. If it had then it would have been a decision I would have had to make. Aberdeen were very keen to get me and that was great for me. Hopefully, I can add to the team and being here can make me a better player as well.”
Manager McInnes was delighted to have got his man and believes it will be money well spent.
He said: “I think Kenny is a brilliant signing. It was one I wasn’t sure we would be able to do. I spoke to the chairman about him, but thought we might have had to wait until the summer.
“We made our move on Sunday and got a bit of encouragement there might be a deal to be done. I am delighted we have managed to get it done so swiftly.
“We have secured a very good young player at a good age. He is a player who has shown his abilities and has good experience from playing at St Mirren.
“He is only going to get better and thankfully with him on a three-and-a-half year deal, he will present us with really good value.”
After the disappointment of the League Cup semi-final loss to Dundee United on Saturday, McInnes hopes supporters will be encouraged by the signing and added: “It’s a bit of payback for the support who have backed the team no end since we’ve been here. If things are going well it is easier to make the case for signing someone like Kenny.
“We are in a decent position and it’s important we try to maximise that without being foolish.”