Trialists Join New Signings For Training

Last updated : 04 July 2005 By Stand Free Ed
Aberdeen have completed the signings of attacking midfielder Gary Dempsey and winger Jamie Smith over the weekend.

24-year-old Irishman Dempsey had signed as an amateur player in March, and finally signed a two-year professional contract on July 1st after a couple of substitute appearances near the end of the season.

Ex-Celtic forward Smith's contract with Den Haag also ended on July 1st, and he was therefore able to officially put pen to paper on a two year deal on Friday. Jimmy Calderwood told RedWeb: "Smith is a lad who I tried to get last year. He has quality and talent. He can play wide right as well as wide left. He is another creative player who has pace and can go past people. He does all the hard work as well as tracking back. Now that he's had a year in Holland he can bring more experience to the team."

Smith added: "I enjoyed my time in Holland and feel I have developed as a player but I was looking to return home so I was delighted when I heard Aberdeen were interested in me again. It is great to be back in Scotland and I am really excited about playing for Aberdeen.

"They had a great season last year and hopefully we can built on that. I am also looking forward to working with Jimmy Calderwood who I have a great deal of respect for. He has a great reputation in Holland.

"A lot of people have mentioned the international scene but I am just aiming to play regularly for Aberdeen. There is quite a lot of competition for places in the midfield positions but I am looking forward to the challenge.

The two new boys joined fellow fresh faces Jamie Langfield and Barry Nicholson at training today, and reports indicate that two trialists are currently over from Holland to be assessed by the Reds' coaching staff. One of those may be 33-year-old Polish striker Andrzej Kubica, who was linked to the Dons in Saturday's Daily Express.