A busy day at Pittodrie with Rhys Williams also joining the Dons on loan from Liverpool as manager Barry Robson continues to build his new look squad. After training this afternoon, the central defender spoke to RedTV.

“I am over the moon to get it over the line. I heard of the interest about a week ago. As soon as I knew Aberdeen were interested there was only one place I was looking forward to coming to. As I say, I was just delighted I could get it over the line.

“Getting a loan deal sorted so quickly was important. I have experienced the other end of it where you join a club on the last day of the window and you are joining a team that is already settled and the manager has got his favourites. So to be able to come in and get a full pre-season, getting to know the boys, getting to know how the manager wants to play and adapting to moving up here, it will be a massive help.”

“As soon as I spoke to Leighton, the gaffer and learned about the players who play for this football club, there was only one place I wanted to come.

“Meeting all the boys today, in it is a great group and everyone was very friendly, and I know they will help me on my journey.

“Leighton spoke so highly of the place. The fact he has come up and signed a permanent deal speaks volumes. He was very complimentary about the city, the fans, the staff – everything as a whole. As soon as I got off the phone to him, I was signing the deal!”

“The first thing I noticed about the gaffer when he phoned was his honesty. He was not trying to blow smoke and was very direct. He said that he was trying to polish me up as a player. He told me that there are things I need to improve on but at the same time I have qualities and if I can bring them to the table then I will improve us as a back line and as a team.

“More than anything though, after speaking to him, it was just something I wanted to be part of. He said that hard work is the most important thing and that is something I agree with, in any walk of life.”

“If I can emulate what Leighton has done up here, I will have a very successful season. Looking at what he did, he was superb. But that is the quality that Leighton has.

“Hopefully he can put a few (crosses) onto the back post like he used to in the Liverpool days, and I can maybe contribute a few goals as well during my time here! It was something we worked on quite a lot in the youth teams at Liverpool. I would say that I am quite composed on the ball and aggressive in the air. I am also loud! So most people in the stadium will be able to hear me.

“Playing alongside Angus will help me massively. I am still young and I am still learning but he has got bags of experience. Behind us Kelle has played at a really good level so I am looking forward to getting on the grass with the lads and hopefully I can add something to the defence.

“In pre-season you just have to try and get the fitness stuff out of the way! A few of the lads today looked really sharp. Pre-season is about getting fit as well as getting some games under my belt.”

“I was with Shayden, Jayden and Leighton on holiday and I also met Jack MacKenzie. So I know a few of the boys! We had a good summer together. It was Leighton and I who organised the holiday and then Leighton just started drafting people in!

“When you move away from what you are used to, having a group of friends around you helps you massively.

“I have known Leighton since I was about eight years of year. A long time to know him! Ever since we lived together he has become one of my really good friends. We have played on tours together, we have played in the first team together at Liverpool and we lived together there.

“He has already helped me get settled in very quickly.”

“European football is another stage where you can showcase your ability. It is different to the English Premier League and the Scottish Premier League so being able to come into a team who are in a European competition was massive for me. Hopefully the experience I have of playing in Europe with Liverpool can help the team.

“If we can show the same sort of form that the team showed at the tail end of last season, then it is going to be a good year for the boys.”