Aberdeen sign Stephen Hughes on deal until 2014

Hughes played under Dons boss Craig Brown during his first spell at Motherwell

Former Rangers and Motherwell midfielder Stephen Hughes has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Aberdeen.

The 29-year-old had been training with the Dons as a free agent after reaching the end of a short-term deal at 'Well.

The Pittodrie club have lost Rob Milsom for the rest of the season following a knee operation.

Fellow midfielders Isaac Osbourne and Peter Pawlett are also currently sidelined and Hughes could feature against Dunfermline on Saturday.

Although Hughes has not played since a 2 January appearance against Rangers, he has declared himself ready to go if called on by Dons manager Craig Brown.

"I'm available to play, but the boys had a good result last week so I don't know what (the manager is) going to do," he said.

Hughes joined Motherwell for a second time in December but made just two starts for the Steelmen and was not offered new terms.

Hughes was one of two players to sign on for Aberdeen on Friday, with the club also announcing a new deal for youth captain Craig Storie.

The 16-year-old Scotland Under-16 captain was reportedly also interesting Manchester United.