Jamie McGrath has become Aberdeen’s tenth signing of the 2023 summer transfer window.
The midfielder moves to Pittodrie as a free agent, having opted to cancel his contract at EFL League One side Wigan Athletic last month.
The talented 26-year-old will add to Barry Robson’s options in the middle of the park and, subject to international clearance, will be available to travel to Sweden for Thursday night’s Europa League play-off match against Häcken.
“Jamie is an international player who brings with him good experience of the league”, said manager Barry Robson.
“His creativity, quality of passing and goal contributions will add another dimension to our midfield, and he has the right mentality to fit into our squad.
“We look forward to working with Jamie and giving him the platform to showcase the ability he has.”
McGrath started his career with St Patrick's Athletic and made his first-team debut for Saints three weeks before his eighteenth birthday. He went on to have a successful time at Richmond Park, scoring nine times in 66 outings, lifting two League of Ireland Cups and the Leinster Senior Cup.
That prompted Dundalk to pay a fee and he moved to the then all-conquering Lilywhites side. It was another highly successful spell when, over three seasons, he scored 14 goals in 118 games. The honours continued to rack up too, winning two League of Ireland titles, the FAI Cup, two more League of Ireland Cups, the President of Ireland Cup, and the all-Ireland Champions Cup. He was also voted the PFAI Young Player of the Year in 2018.
His performances at Oriel Park won him a move across the water, where he signed for SPFL Premiership side St Mirren in January 2020. He went on to have an excellent two-years in Paisley, scoring 20 times in 78 games, including 17 in 45 in his only full season with the Buddies, a season that also saw him pick up the club’s Player of the Year.
He also won his first of eight full international caps for the Republic of Ireland during his spell at the SMISA Stadium, when he made his full debut against Andorra in a friendly in June 2021.
His impressive form earned him a move to Wigan Athletic in January 2022, where he helped the team win promotion to the EFL Championship in his first five months. His chances at the DW Stadium were limited, and he returned to Scotland to Dundee United on loan last season, where he scored eight times in 32 league outings for the Tangerines.
Jamie has signed a two-year contract with the Dons and will wear the number 7 shirt during the 2023/24 season.
“I’m really delighted to get the deal done and I’m excited about the season ahead”, said McGrath.
“The size of the club sells itself and the way the manager wants to play suits me so hopefully I can add something to the team.
“It’s a really exciting challenge and I want to be part of something special here.”
