Dons make loan swoop for Stewart
ABERDEEN were last night closing in on a 12-month loan deal for Birmingham City striker Greg Stewart. Hearts, Hibs, Motherwell and Stewart’s former club Dundee were all interested in landing the 27-year-old.
But Dons boss Derek McInnes is poised to boost his frontline after agreeing a deal with the English Championship club for Stewart.
Last week Birmingham boss Harry Redknapp appeared to pour cold water on the move by claiming no Scottish club could afford to pay a share of Stewart’s wages as part of a loan deal.
However, after McInnes knocked back Sunderland to stay at Pittodrie, he is being bankrolled by the board to build on last season which saw the Reds reach two cup finals and finish second in the league behind Celtic.
McInnes has been a fan of Stewart since he scored 31 goals across two seasons at Dundee, forming a potent partnership with Kane Hemmings.
His fine form at Dens Park saw him twice short-listed for PFA Scotland’s Premiership Player of the Year and won him a £500,000 move south.
But Stewart only started six games for Birmingham last season and is keen to get his career back on track in Scotland.
His imminent capture will give Aberdeen a timely boost after losing popular wide men Jonny Hayes and Niall McGinn.
Hayes opted to join Celtic in a £1.3million deal which saw Parkhead winger Ryan Christie return on a season-long loan after a successful spell at Pittodrie in the second half of the campaign.
McGinn is currently without a club but is believed to see his future in England.
McInnes is also chasing Hull City attacker Shaun Maloney and Preston’s former St Johnstone star Stevie May.
But one man he doesn’t have to worry about is keeper Joe Lewis, who has penned a fresh three-year contract — with McInnes insisting the deal is on a par with making a new signing.
The impressive 29-year-old has been an ever-present in the team since his move from Cardiff City last summer and was named in the PFA Scotland Premiership team of the season.
‘We’ll be making signings over the next period but there will be no better news than Joe signing on for an extra two years,’ said McInnes.
‘He’s been magnificent from day one here and he’s a big hit with the fans. Joe is an integral part of what we want to do here and I’m absolutely delighted he’s staying.’
The former England Under-21 international admitted the prospect of regular European football was a big part of his decision to commit to Aberdeen.
The Dons kick off their season at Pittodrie on July 13 against either FC Ordabasy from Kazakhstan or Siroki Brijeg from BosniaHerzegovina in the Europa League second qualifying round.
‘I’m enjoying my time here and it was an easy decision to make to stay longer,’ Lewis told afc.co.uk
‘My family love it and have settled in really well and, from my perspective, I want to win trophies after coming so close last season.
‘The chance to play in Europe regularly is another bonus and one that cannot be underestimated.’
“There will be no better news than Joe signing two more years”