Aberdeen seals three-year-deal with Shinnie

Aberdeen have signed Graeme Shinnie on a permanent three-year deal from Wigan Athletic.

The 31-year-old midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan at Pittodrie and helped the club finish third in the Scottish Premiership, securing European football.

Shinnie, who first played for the Dons in 2015, will remain captain for the new campaign.

“My full focus was always on returning here,” he said. “It’s a club I love. I feel like I am back home again.

“I’m looking forward to the season ahead. It’s going to be tough but we’re building a squad now that is going to be ready for what lies ahead and being able to play in the group stages of a European competition is something I’ve always wanted so there are exciting times ahead.

“I think the bond I’ve got here with the fans is amazing and I can’t wait to get back on the pitch at Pittodrie again and have them cheering us on but it’s important we get ready in pre-season and come together again as a club and perform as well as we can next season.”

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Aberdeen also have completed a deal for centre-back Rhys Williams, who joins on a season-long loan from Liverpool

An England Under-21 international, Williams has made 14 starts for the Liverpool first team, with a further five appearances off the bench in both the English Premier League and Champions League.

The 22-year-old has had previous loan spells with Blackpool and Swansea and arrives at Pittodrie to link up with his former team-mate, Leighton Clarkson, who he played alongside in the youth ranks at Liverpool.