Former Aberdeen defender Jayden Richardson returns to Scotland with St Mirren

St Mirren have signed former Aberdeen wing-back Jayden Richardson on a two-year contract.

The 24-year-old Englishman made 24 appearances for the Dons in the 2022-23 campaign before seeing out the second of his two seasons at Pittodrie on loan at Stockport and Colchester.

Richardson returns to Scotland to join Saints after spending last season with Boreham Wood in the National League South.

“I’m over the moon,” he told the Buddies’ official website. “I can’t wait to get in front of the crowd and show what I do. I can bring energy, pace, power and hopefully that athleticism up and down can get the fans on the edge of their seat.

“I know what Scottish football’s like. When I was up here in the past, playing against St Mirren, we knew it was a tough game no matter what and the fans here were outstanding.

“I’ve had a few chats with the manager and they’ve been positive. I know what he wants from me and I know what I need to provide for him so hopefully it’s a good chemistry and we can work well.”

Manager Stephen Robinson is excited about adding Richardson to his squad. “Jayden is someone I tried to sign a few seasons ago,” he said.

“He has got a lot of attributes that I like in a wing-back/full-back. He’s quick, he’s strong, he’s tall and very like Ryan Alebiosu, who was with us last season.

“All the attributes are there and it’s up to us to get that quality out of him. I think he’ll be a really good signing for us.”

St Mirren have appointed John Park as their new head of recruitment after Robinson’s trusty chief scout Martin Foyle left the club to join Carlisle.

“Martin has been an integral part of what we’ve done over the past three and a half years and he’s been an integral part of what I’ve done as a manager over 10 years now,” said Robinson. “He’s a close friend of mine now and it’s a sad loss for the club.

“Another opportunity arose that was exciting for him and it’s with regret that Martin is leaving. I’d like to put on record my thanks to him for his recruitment and for all he’s done at the football club.

“The club have appointed John and it’s important that we get working together quickly, build a relationship and I look forward to that.”