The Daily Record

Aberdeen sign midfielder Gavin Rae from Dundee on 18-month deal

GAVIN RAE completed his move from Dundee to Aberdeen this morning after signing an 18-month deal at Pittodrie.

The 34-year-old former Scotland international finally secured a move to his hometown club, five years after first being linked with the Dons.

Midfielder Rae had been interesting Hibs among other clubs but the move to Pittodrie always looked likely after Craig Brown expressed his interest earlier this month.

The former Rangers and Cardiff City player is Brown's third January signing after handing ex-captain Russell Anderson and free agent midfielder Stephen Hughes deals.

Dundee boss Barry Smith backs Gavin Rae to be an SPL hit at Aberdeen

BARRY SMITH last night thanked Gavin Rae for helping turn Dundee's season around - and backed him to still be an SPL hit with Aberdeen.

Rae penned an 18-month deal at Pittodrie yesterday after bringing into effect an agreement with Dee boss Smith that allowed him a free transfer to an SPL club.

Smith, right, said: "Gavin did really well for us and leaves with everyone's best wishes. He was magnificent for us both on the pitch and off it.

"He is definitely still capable of playing in the SPL and I can understand why the lure of Aberdeen was too much.

"Losing him is a blow but we have other quality players."

Aberdeen midfielder Isaac Osbourne signs new contract to stay until 2013

MIDFIELDER Isaac Osbourne has signed a new contract that will keep him at Aberdeen until 2013.

He was offered the new deal after impressing since his move to Pittodrie in the summer following his release by Coventry City.

Osbourne told RedTV: "I could not turn down the offer to stay on at such a big club.

"Hopefully, if not this season, next season we will get into a cup final or into Europe. I want to be part of that.

"At a club like Aberdeen there is more opportunity to win something than playing for a team down south. There is a lot to look forward to."

The Scottish Sun

Signs are Dons will lose kids

CRAIG BROWN admits he signed midfield pair Gavin Rae and Stephen Hughes because he may have to sell Ryan Jack and Fraser Fyvie.

The Aberdeen boss snapped up former Rangers and Motherwell ace Hughes until the summer of 2014 last week while Rae moved from Dundee on an 18-month deal yesterday.

Brown believes that has been a brilliant bit of business as Kari Arnason is leaving at the end of this season. And with Manchester City at Pittodrie to watch highly-rated kids Jack and Fyvie in Saturday's win over Dunfermline, he fears they could be going soon as well.

The Scotsman

Gavin Rae secures Pittodrie switch at last as Aberdeen forward plan

ABERDEEN manager Craig Brown admits practical pragmatism prompted the arrival of veterans Gavin Rae and Stephen Hughes because he may be forced to sell highly-rated teenagers Ryan Jack and Fraser Fyvie.

Hughes agreed a deal until the summer of 2014 last week while Rae completed his move from Dundee by signing an 18-month contract yesterday.

Brown believes that has been a brilliant bit of business as Kari Arnason is leaving at the end of this season and he is worried Jack and Fyvie could be going soon as well.

The products of the Pittodrie youth academy are two of the most highly-rated youngsters in the Scottish game and Aberdeen are determined to get a realistic return if they do move on.

After all, in the last six months they have lost Chris Maguire, Sone Aluko and Jack Grimmer under freedom of contract leaving them with just paltry sums in development compensation in return.

The Daily Express

GAVIN RAE FULFILS DREAM TO SIGN FOR ABERDEEN

GAVIN RAE revealed the pull of hometown team and boyhood heroes Aberdeen was too strong to turn down.

Former Scotland international Rae has joined the Dons on an 18-month deal after completing his switch from Dundee. Hibs were also interested in the 34-year-old.

But having gone to Pittodrie as a kid with his dad to cheer on the Dons, Rae insisted there was only going to be one winner for his signature, adding: "I used to come here with my old man. My granddad was an Aberdeen fan, my dad and then myself. Pretty much all my family are, so that's why I'm delighted to be here."

The Herald

Gavin Rae fulfils boyhood dream at Aberdeen but Craig Brown admits Fraser Fyvie fears

But as the 34-year-old joined his hometown team, his new manager Craig Brown admitted he fears teenager Fraser Fyvie may be the target for bigger clubs before long.

Fyvie was watched by two Manchester City scouts during the weekend win over Dunfermline Athletic, in which he excelled. His potential departure, and that of Kari Arnason, who will leave at the end of the season, were the main reasons for the recruitment of Rae and, last week, Stephen Hughes.

"Fyvie's contract is up a year from now," said Brown. "So there is a chance he might leave, while Arnason is leaving and there is a chance someone might come in for Ryan Jack, who is doing well. Rae is the ideal replacement for Arnason in the middle."

Evening Express

'Arnason wasn't looking for £20,000 a month from Aberdeen FC'
Agent hits out at claims

KARI Arnason's agent today hit out at claims the midfielder held Aberdeen FC to ransom over a new contract.

Arnason, who has knocked back a new deal offered to him by the club, is upset by reports suggesting he was demanding £20,000 a month to stay at Pittodrie.

That figure was quoted as Arnason's expected minimum wage on the official website of his agent, former Aberdeen player David Winnie.

Rory McArdle keen on new deal with Aberdeen FC
'I would like to stay at the club'

ABERDEEN FC defender Rory McArdle today revealed he is desperate to sign a new deal at Pittodrie.

The club recently rejected a second offer from League Two Southend for the 24-year-old.

The Northern Ireland international is out of contract at the end of the season. He said: "I would like to stay at Aberdeen FC."

Craig Brown worried Fyvie could leave Aberdeen FC
Scouts eye Fraser in win over Dunfermline

CRAIG Brown today admitted he's worried rising star Fraser Fyvie could be the next to leave Aberdeen FC.

The club have completed the signing of Dundee midfielder Gavin Rae as a replacement for Kari Arnason, who is set to move on.

Brown admitted Rae's arrival is also insurance against the possibility of losing Fyvie, as scouts from Manchester City saw Fyvie help Aberdeen FC beat Dunfermline 1-0.