Aberdeen defender Jayden Richardson says moving to Stockport County on a season-long loan was an easy decision.
The right-back joined Aberdeen from Nottingham Forest last summer on a three-year deal but started only 16 league games for the Dons last season.
Richardson has fallen down the pecking order following the arrival of Nicky Devlin from Livingston and Or Dadia from Hapoel Beer Sheva.
The 22-year-old is looking forward to the move back to England with the Hatters, who finished fourth in English League Two last season but missed out on promotion after losing in the play-off final against Carlisle United on penalties.
Richardson said: “I have played against County in the past so when it came around it was a no-brainer.
“I’m closer to home and my family which is a big, important thing.
“I’m delighted to be here and can’t wait to see all the fans.
“I can’t wait for the games to start and enjoy the season.
“Whenever I played here in the past I spoke to people and I have no doubt how good the club is.
“When I heard it come around, I knew it was a good opportunity for me.”
🔴 Jayden Richardson has joined @StockportCounty on a season-long loan deal
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) July 26, 2023
Promotion is the aim for Stockport
Richardson, who had loan spells at Exeter City, Forest Green Rovers and Notts County before moving from Nottingham Forest to the Dons last year, is hoping to help the Hatters win promotion to English League One.
The defender, who played in the fourth tier as a teenager for Exeter, believes his previous experience of the division will be helpful.
He said: “I started at 18 and going into the league as a young kid you have to learn quickly otherwise you will get found out.
“Hopefully that experience of being in the league will help me.
“I have been in the play-offs a few times so hopefully this season we can get it over the line.
“It all happened quickly but all of the guys here, even the new boys, couldn’t speak more highly of the club.
“I can’t wait to get going on.
“For the club, the aim is to get promoted.
“We will try to do that but it is a long season ahead.
“We have to take it game by game and try to achieve as much as possible.”
Aberdeen manager Barry Robson hopes the loan will be beneficial for Richardson’s development.
He said: “At this vitally important stage of his career, it’s imperative that Jayden continues playing regularly and this loan will hopefully help him do just that.
“He’s still only 22 and has already got close to 125 career games under his belt, so it’s critical he does not interrupt that momentum.
“Obviously, we have added a lot of strength and experience to that area of the pitch over the summer, so this opportunity at Stockport is perfect.
“Jayden still has almost two years of his current deal still remaining at Aberdeen, so we will closely monitor his progress in the weeks and months ahead.”
A key target for the Hatters
Stockport manager Dave Challinor was pleased to land a long-term target.
He said: “His move north hasn’t quite worked out how he or Aberdeen would have hoped, after the impact he had at Notts County during our title winning season, but we hope now he has a platform to get back to his best football and show what he can do.
“This one’s been a long time in planning as he was someone who we discussed and tried to move on last season, but thankfully we’ve got it done now and we look forward to working with him, just as I’m sure you the fans will look forward to welcoming him.”
Stockport’s director of football Simon Wilson said: “Jayden is high energy, right-sided player that will add great competition to that part of the pitch for us.
“We are fortunate to benefit from a change in circumstances at Aberdeen, who fought off competition to sign him 12 months ago.
“The loan gives us the chance to help Jayden rediscover the form that got him the move, and help our team with his performances. I’m sure our supporters will enjoy watching him in full flight.”