McLEAN SEEKS LIFT-OFF AT CANARIES

SCOTLAND midfielder Kenny McLean has hailed Norwich City as the perfect club to take his career to the next level. The 26-year-old clinched a £150,000 switch to Carrow Road after agreeing a three-and-a-half-year contract with the English Championship side. Norwich yesterday confirmed they were taking the unusual step of buying McLean then sending him back on loan to see out the season at Pittodrie. And McLean feels it is the correct decision to move south in the summer. ‘Norwich has the right feel about it,’ he said. ‘I’ve met people at the club and it just seemed this was the place for me to come. ‘After watching them on the pitch, it seems perfect for the style I want to play. The manager’s philosophy suits me and the club is right for me at this time of my career. ‘I think it’s right for me to have a pre-season in the summer with the new team and with the manager. I’ll need to adapt to the way he wants to play. That takes time and doing that in pre-season is right for me.’ Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes last night declared himself happy with the deal for a player he signed from St Mirren in 2015. And he hopes McLean (right) will continue to be a big influence for the Dons in the four months he has left in the north east. ‘When it became clear Kenny would be leaving the club, of course we wanted him to remain with us until the end of the season, so this represents the best outcome for us,’ said McInnes. ‘It’s a fantastic move for Kenny, both in terms of his career and financially, and I am delighted for him as he has earned his move. ‘The importance of him remaining at the club for the rest of the season was prevalent in his mind. He has represented both his own and the clubs’ interests superbly. ‘All parties involved have handled the situation extremely well and we’ve ended up with an outcome which is positive for both Aberdeen and Norwich City. ‘The time for wishing Kenny well is not for now. We are entering a very important period of fixtures. I am sure Kenny will play a pivotal part in helping us achieve our ambitions this season.’