Dons sign Aluko permanently

Teenager earns permanent deal after successful loan spell at Pittodrie

Last updated: 1st September 2008

Sone Aluko

Aluko: Dons player

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Teenage winger Sone Aluko has joined Aberdeen from Birmingham on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 19-year-old has signed after proving a hit on loan with the SPL outfit last term, playing 20 games and scoring three times.

He then returned to Birmingham before joining Blackpool on an emergency loan deal during August, where he made a substitute appearance.

Aberdeen director of football Willie Miller is delighted to have secured the England Under 19 international on a permanent basis.

Flair player

He told the club's official website: "We all know what Sone is capable of and he's a flair player who has the ability to change the course of a game.

"Sone himself also knows what to expect and the fact he's agreed to come here permanently is testimony to how much he enjoyed his time at Aberdeen.

"I'm sure our fans will be delighted with the news and, having pulled out all the stops to make this one happen, that will be it as far as this transfer window is concerned with Sone joining Charlie Mulgrew, Gary McDonald, Mark Kerr, Tommy Wright, Bertrand Bossu and Sammy Stewart in the squad.

"I would also like to publicly thank Alex McLeish for his assistance throughout the negotiations as that was instrumental in ensuring everything went smoothly."

Aluko is a product of the Birmingham youth system and made one first-team appearance for the Blues, in the Carling Cup against Hereford last August 2007 before joining the Dons on loan three days later.

A statement on Birmingham's website said the player leaves "with the best wishes of everybody at the club."