Aberdeen: David Bates signs three-year contract after transfer fee agreed with Hamburg
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David Bates (right) watched Aberdeen's 1-1 draw with Ross County
Scotland cap David Bates has signed a three-year contract to join Aberdeen from Hamburg after a fee was agreed with the Bundesliga 2 club.
The 24-year-old centre-half was out of favour in Germany after his move from Rangers in 2018.
Bates spent last season on loan to Cercle Brugge in Belgium's top flight.
Manager Stephen Glass told Aberdeen's website: "He is here amid strong interest from other teams, particularly with the transfer window due to close."
Aberdeen are awaiting international clearance for the former Raith Rovers defender, so he will watch his new club's Scottish Premiership match against Ross County from the stand.
"He is a young, proven, Scotland international and his arrival further increases the number of young Scottish international players we have here at Pittodrie, all of whom are going to play a huge part in our future." Glass said.
Bates, who has four Scotland caps, had a previous loan spell with Sheffield Wednesday and played 21 times last season for Cercle as they finished one place above the relegation spots.
He joins Matthew Longstaff in moving to Pittodrie, with the Newcastle United midfielder having arrived on a season's loan on Friday. The 21-year-old has yet to play a senior game this season.
"For a young player, Matty has already played in a good number of high-profile games for a top club," Glass said
Longstaff, who scored on his Premier League debut against Manchester United in October 2019, has made 20 appearances for Newcastle, including 15 last season, finding the net three times.
Longstaff signed a new two-year contract with Newcastle last summer and, earlier on Friday, manager Steve Bruce had explained that "the kid is desperate to go and play football".
"Aberdeen is a good club and a decent place to go and play, so good luck to him," Bruce said.
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