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Dons sign Manchester United striker
Aberdeen this morning completed the signing of Manchester United striker James Wilson on a season long loan.
Recently regarded as one of the brightest young English prospects, the 22 year old has represented his country at every youth age group and scored on his debut for the England U19s and U21s.
He enjoyed a remarkable two-goal Premier League debut for Manchester United in the final home game of the 2013/14 season against Hull City. Since then he has had a number of loan spells in England.
In 2014/15 he made 17 appearances for the Old Trafford Club, mainly off the bench, scoring against QPR at Loftus Road in the English Premier League and against Cambridge United in the FA Cup. The following season, after playing a couple of games for United, he joined then Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion on loan. At the Amex Stadium he made 29 appearances and scored five goals; The Sussex side missed out on automatic promotion on goal difference from Middlesbrough that season.
In 2016/17 James returned to the Championship on loan, this time joining Derby County but his stay was cut short by a long term injury. He made five appearances, scoring once.
After his lay-off he returned to form last season scoring eight goals in 13 Under-23 games for United before having a loan spell at Sheffield United during the second half of the campaign.
Manager Derek McInnes has been looking to increase his attacking options and is delighted to bring in James who he has been tracking for a while and was sought after by a number of other clubs. He told afc.co.uk:
“I am absolutely delighted to secure James on a season long loan as he is a player I feel will very quickly become an important member of the squad for us.
“He is a real quality player, who I think will suit the way we play, and, having spoken to him, I think he sees this move as a real opportunity for him. There were other clubs interested in taking James but he feels this is the right place for him to continue his development.
“I’d also like to thank Manchester United for the part they played in making the loan happen.”
James has been allocated squad number 9 and everyone at Aberdeen FC wishes him all the very best during his stay at Pittodrie.