Aberdeen striker Christian Ramirez will leave with the club’s best wishes as he closes in on a return to the MLS.
The American enjoyed an impressive first season with the club following his move from Houston Dynamo in 2021, bagging 15 goals in all competitions.
However, the summer arrival of Bojan Miovski has seen Ramirez drop down the pecking order, opening the door for a January transfer.
Dons manager Jim Goodwin was full of praise for the front man.
He said: “Christian has been brilliant since I came to the club.
“He has been a top professional since coming back for pre-season. He has worked hard in training and when we needed him in games he went out and did his best.
“Christian just felt this opportunity was one that he didn’t want to let slip by. He wanted to be closer to home so we tried to help him make that happen.
“He is at an age now where he wants to be playing regularly. It is very difficult for him to do that here because Miovski has been our main number nine and top scorer already this season.
“He was a great guy around the place, and we can only wish him the best of luck at his new club.”
The club have already been active in their recruitment this January, bringing in former captain Graeme Shinnie and Patrik Myslovic on loan from Derby County and MSK Zilina respectively.
The departure of Ramirez means that Goodwin will be dipping into the market once again to find a replacement for the forward.
He said: “It’s an area we will continue to look at and try to strengthen between now and the window closing.”
Meanwhile, Derek McInnes has blasted the Scottish FA over the penalty controversy in Kilmarnock's semi-final defeat to Celtic at the weekend.
The Ayrshire side were denied what was a stonewall spot kick in the final moments of the Viaplay Cup tie, which finished 2-0 to Ange Postecoglou's men.
Hoops striker Giorgos Giakoumakis hauled Killie's Joe Wright to the deck inside the area as they looked to get on the end of a long throw in from Ash Taylor.
Willie Collum waved away furious protests from the Rugby Park players, as the Greek striker then subsequently scored up the other end of the park to seal the game.
