Pittodrie striker hooked by Salford’s plans and ambition

Adam Rooney says the ambition shown by Salford is the reason why he has decided to swap Aberdeen for England’s fifth tier.

The Irishman has been part of an Aberdeen side which has finished best of the rest in Scotland for four straight years but will now be plying his trade in the Vanarama National League after signing a three-year deal.

Salford are part-owned by former Manchester United stars Phil and Gary Neville, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs and the Class of ’92 heroes have big plans to transform the club into a Football League outfit.

Those blueprints were enough to convince Rooney to drop down the English league ladder.

He said: “It wasn’t easy, but I just felt my time was coming to an end here and the opportunity came up at Salford.

“I spoke to my family about it and I felt it would be a good opportunity for something new.

“I wasn’t keen to go somewhere else in Scotland and the move (to Salford) is something I’m really looking forward to taking part in and hopefully making a name for myself there.

“I’ve loved my time in the north-east and it’s the most settled I’ve ever been, with my family here. It’s not been an easy decision to make, but I just felt it was the right time to go and try something new.

“The plans and ambition Salford have really intrigues me, and where they want to take it. But the other side of that is actually having to leave here.

Rooney paid tribute to Dons boss Derek McInnes and the Red Army and the message was reciprocated by his former boss.

The former Inverness and Birmingham frontman joined Aberdeen from Oldham in 2014 and went on to net 88 goals in 197 games.

McInnes said: “We wish Adam all the very best with his new venture. It is always with a heavy heart when you lose a good player who is also a really good person. Since I signed Adam four-and-ahalf years ago, he has given us nothing but good value and has been fantastic to work with.”

While Rooney was on his way out of Pittodrie, defender Dom Ball has checked back in for another 12-month loan stint from Rotherham.

He said: “I’m delighted to be back and I’m ready to go for the season.

“I wanted to come back to somewhere where I knew everyone and hit the ground running.”

Adam Rooney.