Aberdeen sign former Manchester United striker James Wilson on two year deal

Aberdeen's James Wilson (centre) and Celtic's Odsonne Edouard battle for the ball during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow
James Wilson has joined Aberdeen on a two year contract Credit: PA

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes says he is thrilled that James Wilson agreed to a permanent move to Pittodrie.

The 23-year-old attacker was on loan from Manchester United last season and has signed a two-year deal, having been released at the end of his contract.

McInnes welcomes the former England Under-21 international - who came through the ranks at United and had loan spells at Brighton, Derby County and Sheffield United - back to Aberdeen, where he had begun to show flashes of the talent that made him so highly rated as a young player.

"I'm delighted to have James back," McInnes told Aberdeen's official website. "He is a young player who has had to deal with a lot in a short space of time, but he's got his whole career ahead of him.

"We feel that he showed glimpses towards the end of last season how effective a player he can be and what a positive impact he can have on the team.

"We want to try and build on that now that he is an Aberdeen player and not a Manchester United player."

Wilson playing against Steven Gerrard's Liverpool in 2014 Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Wilson, who scored four goals in 32 appearances last season, told RedTV that the sense of well-being he felt at Aberdeen led to his return.

He said: "There is a lot of money in football these days and sometimes that can be the deciding factor.

"But for me, at this point, the big thing was about being content, comfortable and happy and I am just ready to work for the team I have been integrated to and I look forward to that.

"The group of players is brilliant. I really enjoyed working with the staff and everyone behind the scenes. I haven't got a bad word to say, that is why I'm back here.

"There were other offers but this was a fairly easy decision for me to make."