Atlanta deal pays off as Dons lure Hernandez

Aberdeen manager Derek Mcinnes feels their partnership with Atlanta paid off after signing Venezuela right-back Ronald Hernandez.

The 22-year-old has joined from Norwegian side Stabaek on a fourand-a-half-year deal after Aberdeen paid an undisclosed fee.

Mcinnes and his recruitment team had been monitoring the player and were helped by their MLS partner club in making inroads with his representatives.

“He first came to our attention about six months ago and we have just kept tabs on him,” said Mcinnes.

“One of the leagues that the recruitment team have been concentrating on is the Norwegian league and we thought it was going to be a challenge to get him out of there.

“It shows you where we are with our collaboration with Atlanta at the minute. Once we were speaking with their recruitment team it was a player who they were aware of and had flagged up on their system.

“Jointly we got to know him a bit better. Atlanta have several Venezuelan players and contacts and that allowed us to make inroads into the possibility of bringing him to Aberdeen. These conversations have been ongoing for a while.

“It got to the very end of the window to secure it.”

Hernandez could make his debut against Rangers at Ibrox today.

There were a few outgoings at Pittodrie yesterday, too. Defender Zak Vyner returned to Bristol City, midfielder Stephen Gleeson was freed late last night, while striker James Wilson joined Salford City.

Vyner was a key member of the Dons’ squad during the first half of the season, making 18 appearances for Mcinnes. But he injured his shoulder in the 1-1 draw with Hearts in December and has been sidelined since then.

Wilson had joined Aberdeen in the summer after a loan spell from Manchester United and his release from Old Trafford, but the 24-year-old has struggled to make an impact and has not scored in 16 appearances.

He is hoping for some more game-time after joining former Aberdeen striker in Adam Rooney at League 2 Salford.

“I’m feeling very positive,” said Wilson. “I wasn’t going to get the game-time at Aberdeen that I wanted or needed, so it was a good move for me to come in and try to play some football.”

Irish midfielder Gleeson has played just one minute all season.