JIM Vince finally got his man when Jonathan Smith put pen to paper on a one-year deal at the Shay.
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder impressed in last weekend's final pre-season game at Ossett.
FC Halifax Town boss Vince has revealed that he had been tracking the player for some time.
And he is clearly delighted to have finally got the chance to take him under his wing.
"He is a young lad who I have been in contact with over the past couple of years," said Vince.
"I have been waiting for an opportunity to work with him.
"I tried to do something with him last year, which I couldn't do and now he has decided to join me.
"It is fantastic."
Smith had spells with Liverpool and Wigan Athletic before getting the chance to join the Scottish Premier League Dons last summer.
But he was informed by the Pittodrie club that he would not be offered a new deal at the end of the campaign.
"He is a good player," said Vince. "You don't play for Aberdeen if you are a dud.
"He will complement our style.
"Every player we have brought here, we have done for a reason."
Last night Vince oversaw his penultimate training session before the season kicks off at home to Bamber Bridge on Saturday.
And he was boosted by the return of a number of players who had been nursing knocks.
Only club skipper Tony Barras and returning striker Ryan Sugden stayed in the treatment room as the rest of the squad was put through its paces.
Kris King, Junior Brown and Tom Harban appear ready to face Bamber Bridge while Neil Ross and Adam Morning could also play.
Barras is due to undergo a scan on his injured knee to ascertain the full extent of the problem that is keeping him sidelined.
HALIFAX Town Supporters' Club will have membership stalls inside both turnstiles before the Saturday's game against Bamber Bridge game.
Prices of the 2008-09 campaign are £5 for adults, £8 for a family membership and £2 for concessions (under 16s and OAP's).The full article contains 377 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
