GreenScene » Jonny Hayes moves from Inverness CT to Aberdeen

Jonny Hayes moves from Inverness CT to Aberdeen

26 June 2012 825 views 2 Comments Written by Ronan

Jonathan ‘Jonny’ Hayes has joined Aberdeen after turning down a new contract with fellow Scottish Premier League side Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The former Republic of Ireland under-21 winger was a fan favourite at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, scoring 23 league goals in 85 games since joining from Leicester City in 2009. The 24-year-old started his career at Reading and spent time on loan at Forest Green Rovers, Milton Keynes Dons, Northampton Town, and Cheltenham Town before moving to Scotland in 2009.

The Dubliner was offered a one-year-contract extension at Caledonian Stadium, but turned it down in favour of a move to Pittodrie under Craig Brown. “It was a bit frustrating waiting to see what was happening with my future,” Hayes told AFC.co.uk. “I weighed up all my options but I came down and met with Craig Brown recently and we had a good chat. From a football point of view he sold it to me there and then. Since then we have just had a few loose ends to tie up but ever since meeting the manager this is the place I wanted to come.

“I spoke to a few people about the club when I first heard of the interest. Ryan Esson spoke very highly of the club and I did not realise how big a club it was till I had spoken with Ryan. Everyone I speak to talks about the potential of Aberdeen. I know the manager wants to get the club back to where they were before and I want to be part of that. Hopefully next season we can push on and move in the right direction and get the club back where they should be.

“The manager said he was looking for a creative player and hopefully coming here is the right move for me. Hopefully I can live up to the expectations. I have not really had expectation on me before in my career. It is actually nice to feel welcome. I have had a lot of messages of support from the fans and it has been over whelming to be honest.

“I don’t know any of my team mates personally but you do get to know the other players at the other clubs after playing them four times a season. I still have a lot to learn about the game and I know I will develop my career working with Craig and Archie. I just can’t wait for the season to start. We have had a long enough break now. Not necessarily the four weeks of pre-season before that! But the first game of the season.”

Aberdeen kick off the 2012-13 SPL season with a trip to Celtic Park on August 4th,