Hayes joins Dons

Irish winger Jonny Hayes has signed a two-year contract with Aberdeen after leaving Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

He becomes Dons manager Craig Brown's first signing of the close season, after he rejected the offer of a new one-year contract at the Dons Scottish Premier League rivals, who he leaves after a three-year spell at the club. Though Hayes did admit it was a tough choice to make, whilst also praising Thistle boss Terry Butcher: "I think the most difficult thing I've had to do was phone the manager and actually tell him that I was leaving," he said after completing a medical and signing for his new club. "It was a wrench to leave, but as soon as I met the manager here, very similar to Terry Butcher, I just got on with him straight away and he made my mind up for me.