Derek McInnes has one eye on the future with the addition of striker Sam Cosgrove to his Aberdeen squad.
The Dons had agreed a pre-contract with the 21-year-old to sign in the summer but after conversations with his club Carlisle United the decision was made to bring the deal forward.
Cosgrove started his career at Wigan and has had a series of loans at lower league English clubs. Cosgrove scored one goal in 12 games for the English League Two Carlisle this campaign before agreeing to move to Pittodrie.
A two-and-a-half year contract ties him to Aberdeen until the summer of 2020 and Dons manager McInnes will give him time to prove his worth.
McInnes said: “There’s no pressure on him. He’s a young boy who’s not had a lot of games. I’ve listened to my scouts and we feel there’s potential there.
“He’s 6ft 3in, he’s raw and he’s young – we feel there’s a player there we can work with.
“He was one for the summer but after agreeing a pre-contract with Sam, it became clear it was probably in everyone’s interest to just get it done. It’s a bit like (Mikey) Devlin, where he can settle into the club and get used to our way of working.”
The deal was announced prior to kick-off in the Dons 4-2 win against Ross County last night, with Adam Rooney and Kenny McLean both notching braces, while Alex Schalk grabbed a double for County.
Cosgrove was not the only bit of transfer business McInnes concluded before last night’s transfer deadline. The Dons manager also brought in Newcastle United goalkeeper Freddie Woodman on loan until the end of the season, with Joe Lewis out for up to three months.
Woodman, who was on loan at Kilmarnock last season, was needed on the bench last night for the Magpies in their 1-1 Premiership draw with Burnley.
McInnes added: “He’s a fantastic young talent. I’m really looking forward to working with him. I was really impressed with him last season.
“I thought he got better and better at Kilmarnock. There were lots of clubs in for Freddie but his commitment and word to us meant a lot.”