Aberdeen Football Club’s latest signing cost it £5.7million but sadly for fans of the Dons it will not appear on any team sheet next season.
The three-year extension to a catering contract with industry giant Sodexo will see the firm continue to provide catering services on match days at Pittodrie Stadium.
Sodexo will also operate the stadium’s cafe and public retail units, in addition to selling and operating all conference and banqueting events.
The price tag eclipses the club’s record signing on the pitch – the £1million paid to Oldham Athletic for Paul Bernard in September 1995.
Sodexo’s deal with the Dons keeps the Granite City club among a roster of football clients that also includes the trio of clubs newly promoted to the English Premier League – Newcastle United, Brighton and Hove Albion and Huddersfield Town.
The catering firm also counts Everton FC, Hampden Park in Glasgow and Windsor Park, Belfast, as football customers.
A spokeswoman for the company, which also services the North Sea oil and gas industry, said football business accounted for a “significant proportion” of its UK and Ireland sports and leisure division.
The new contract with the Dons builds on a 23-year relationship. Aberdeen FC was Sodexo’s first stadia client in the UK and Ireland.
David Trotter, account director, Sodexo sports and leisure, said: “Our partnership with Aberdeen Football Club has spanned more than two decades.
“It is an excellent example of how our team works alongside a venue to source and serve quality, locally-sourced produce to thousands of football fans, while also using our events and conferencing expertise to drive non-matchday business.
“We strive to deliver a first-class service to customers and look forward to another three years of success.”
Aberdeen FC executive vice-chairman George Yule said: “A club can only succeed through the combined efforts of its members and supporters, and AFC recognises the importance of such support in the ongoing development of the club.
“Future investment will continue to be geared towards the creation of quality in terms of the football squad, the stadium and ancillary areas, hospitality facilities and community involvement.
“From hosting match days to managing conferences and banqueting the Sodexo team provides excellent service to our customers.”