Attacker Jonny Smith will take little time to settle into his new surroundings after opting to leave Highland League champions Cove Rangers to join Inverurie Locos on a three-year deal.
Smith last night finalised his move to the Garioch club, ending his four-year stay with the Aberdeen side who have used Locos’ Harlaw Park for last three seasons while their newly completed Balmoral Stadium was being built.
With added competition for a striking berth at Cove following the arrival of Nairn County forward Jordan MacRae earlier this week, Englishman Smith felt the switch to Inverurie was a natural fit.
The 29-year-old said: “I spoke to John Sheran at the end of last season, and told him I was thinking about it and that we would see how the beginning of the season was.
“It was just through one thing or another, it’s a bit closer to where I stay in Newmachar, but I also knew what sort of club I was going to. There has always been a real good feeling around the place.
“I’ve been there for the best part of three years and I know the surrounding area, so it just feels like home.”
Smith has also worked with Locos manager Neil Cooper, who was a youth coach at Aberdeen during the Wigan-born forward’s 12-month stint at Pittodrie in 2007-08.
Having won the Highland League title twice since joining Cove in 2014, Smith is confident he can savour more silverware with Inverurie, who finished third in the table last season.
He added: “I have already worked with the manager before when I was at Aberdeen, I know what all he demands from his team, it’s the same hard work ethic I demand from my team-mates.
“Inverurie want to win things and bring success back to the club. They are going about it in the right way, they finished last season off really well and are keen to improve further.”