Aberdeen’s Jonny Hayes agrees to defer his wages for a year

Derek McInnes hailed an ‘incredible’ gesture by Jonny Hayes after the Irishman agreed to play for nothing next season to push through his return to Aberdeen.

Newly-promoted Dundee United and English Championship side Reading both wanted to sign the experienced winger after he left Celtic last month at the end of his three-year deal.

However, 32-year-old Hayes was so keen to go back to Pittodrie that he has agreed to defer his wages for the entire first 12 months of his two-year deal.

Jonny Hayes agreed to play for nothing next season to push through his return to Aberdeen

With Aberdeen facing a £10million reduction in revenue as a consequence of the coronavirus shutdown and the prospect of playing behind closed doors when the new season begins on August 1, McInnes was thrilled by the Dubliner’s offer which allowed the Dons manager to add considerable quality to his squad.

‘This deal wouldn’t have got done without Jonny making the sacrifice he’s made,’ he said.

‘Footballers get a bad rap at times but what he’s done is incredible.

‘Both Jonny and his agent deserve a lot of praise for getting it over the line. He’s deferred his full wages for the whole year.

‘It wouldn’t have gone through without that, but once we established it could be done then it was plain sailing with him.

‘With the impact of what’s happened (with coronavirus) we wouldn’t have been able to do anything because of the huge financial hole we have.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes hailed an ‘incredible’ gesture by the experienced winger

‘We are well aware of the restraints we are under at the moment. The financial pressure we are under was always going to make this signing tougher.

‘Jonny had opportunities to go elsewhere and try something new, but I know how much he likes it here and he wanted to come back.

‘Under the current circumstances, we’ll be working with the squad we’ve got until things change.’

Both Dundee United and English Championship side Reading wanted to sign Hayes

Hayes lifted the League Cup with Aberdeen in 2014 before heading to the east end of Glasgow where he won six trophies with Celtic.

McInnes believes he is getting an even better player than the one who departed for Parkhead in 2017.

He said: ‘I have kept in touch with Jonny regularly since he left the club. He was very influential first time around for me and I still see the same speed, the same ability there.

‘Hopefully the experience he’s had at Celtic, winning trophies, will have made him an even better player.

‘We have seen how influential he can be, the speed he brought to his performances last season.

But Hayes was so keen to go back to Pittodrie that he has agreed to defer his wages for a year

‘He’s the kind of person you want at your club and I think he’s a brilliant signing for us.

‘There is always an element of risk when you sign players in their thirties, but it’s minimised by the fact we know him.’

Former Republic of Ireland cap Hayes hopes to win fresh silverware with McInnes’ side.

He said: ‘I want to come back to Pittodrie and get some winners’ medals. I think that everyone associated with Aberdeen deserves that.

‘I was more than happy to play my part by foregoing some financial gain and I am just thankful that it was concluded positively.’