JONNY HAYES has agreed to an incredible 12 month wage deferral in order to broker a return to Aberdeen. The versatile winger was confirmed as an Aberdeen player yesterday but it emerged last night that the Irishman was willing to make a huge financial sacrifice in order to force a deal with the Pittodrie outfit.
According to the Scottish Sun, Hayes decided to defer his wage meaning that the 32-year-old would be playing for free over the first year of the two year deal that he signed yesterday.
Derek McInnes confirmed that Hayes had offered to make a sacrifice in order to facilitate the deal as Aberdeen feel the financial hit from Coronavirus.
“This deal wouldn’t have got done without Jonny making the sacrifice he’s made. Footballers get a bad rap at times but what he’s done is incredible.
“Jonny and his agent deserve a lot of praise for getting it over the line. He’s deferred his full wages for the whole year.
“It wouldn’t have gone through without that but once we established it could be done then it was plain sailing. With the impact of what’s happened, we wouldn’t have been able to do anything because of the huge financial hole we have.
“We’re well aware of the restraints we’re under. Jonny had opportunities to go elsewhere and try something new, but I know how much he likes it here and he wanted to come back.
“The financial pressure we are under was always going to make this signing tougher. I have kept in touch with Jonny regularly since he left the club.
“He was influential the first time round for me and I still see the same speed, the same ability there.”
Hayes was a loyal servant to Celtic but as he was approaching his 33rd birthday, it was decided that the club would not renew his contract. Hayes, who arrived from Aberdeen back in 2017, will be a threat to Celtic next season and hopefully he won’t come back to haunt the Scottish Champions.
After three years in Glasgow, Hayes won eight winners medals and made numerous European appearances as well as scoring the winner in a Glasgow Derby. It is fair to say that Hayes will be a loss due to his versatility but Celtic should be able to redistribute his wages on a first team recruit – with Fraser Forster and Moi Elyounoussi already linked.