Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has challenged Greg Leigh to finish what he started by helping bring success to the club.
The 26 year-old, who spent last season on loan from NAC Breda, has joined the Dons on a short-term deal until January after agreeing his release from the Dutch club.
The Dons also added a goalkeeper to their ranks after former Ross County and Hamilton Accies player Gary Woods joined on loan until January.
McInnes was forced into making a late move for back-up to captain Joe Lewis after Tomas Cerny suffered a knee injury which is expected to rule him out until Christmas.
McInnes is delighted to have Leigh back on board and believes the versatile left-sided defender can help add competition in the backline.
The Dons boss said: “Greg obviously got injured playing with us last season, but he’s now got the opportunity to finish what he started and that’s to be part of a successful Aberdeen team.
“With Scott McKenna leaving he provides us with another natural left sided defender. He can play left of a three, left centre back and left wing back, so he provides real competition in those areas.
“In his time with us previously, Greg enjoyed being here and we enjoyed working with him.
“We’re delighted to have him back, despite it being a short-term deal, and now it is important he helps us over the next few months to try and achieve our goals.”
Woods arrives at Pittodrie as short-term cover from English League Two side Oldham.
McInnes said: “It’s come to light in recent days that Tomas will require an operation and is likely to be out for a number of weeks.
“We therefore felt the need to sign an experienced goalkeeper to provide cover, and also provide competition for Joe in the months ahead.
“We’re delighted to get Gary, a player who knows the league well, on board.”
Bruce Anderson, meanwhile, has been urged to use his loan move to Ayr United to show he can be the leading man at Pittodrie.
The striker will spend the rest of the season on loan at the Championship club and Dons boss Derek McInnes has urged the 22 year-old to make the most of his opportunity to play regularly.
McInnes said: “Bruce is very much part of our long-term plans at the club and this move to Ayr United offers the perfect opportunity for him to gain some valuable minutes in what I am sure will be a competitive league.
“In light of some of our strikers due to return to training in the coming weeks, it was important Bruce was not left without the chance to go and play and score goals.
“His objective is to do well during his loan spell and come back to us ready to feature for the first team.”
Honest Men boss Mark Kerr, a former Dons captain, is delighted to have Anderson on board ahead of the new season and believes his qualities will suit Ayr perfectly.
Kerr said: “We are delighted to get this over the line. Bruce is someone we have been very keen on for some time now.
“He is a proper goalscorer and gets himself into great areas. Derek McInnes rates him very highly and considers him a natural finisher.
“Bruce has pace, energy and has been really involved in the Aberdeen first team for a couple of years now.”
