Jared Is A Red

Last updated : 02 September 2008 By Stand Free Ed

DONS boss Jimmy Calderwood has kick-started the end-of-transfer-window action by snapping up Jared Hodgkiss on loan until January.

The pocket-sized 21-year-old right-back, who will be 22 in November, plays for English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion.

He made his senior debut for the Albion under Bryan Robson in the 2006 FA Cup third round match against Reading, with his Premiership debut coming in May of that year against Everton.

In August 2007, 5ft 8ins Hodgkiss signed a new two-year deal at the Hawthorns, but he struggled to become a fixture in Tony Mowbray's promotion-winning side last season.

Today Calderwood said: "Jared came in today, and we have had a good look at him.

"He is a promising player who will go straight into the squad for Saturday's match against St Mirren."

Hodgkiss, who has been handed squad number 15, is a free agent at the end of the season so will be available for free on a pre-contract agreement in January when his loan ends.

He could also be snapped up for a small fee at that time if wages with the player could be agreed.

The capturing of a right-back means that clubless former Leicester player Alan Maybury and Dutch trialist Quido Lanzaat will not be moving to Pittodrie.

And Hodgkiss's transfer is unlikely to be the end of Aberdeen's end-of-August moves, with Calderwood telling the press this week that up to three players will join the club on loan before the transfer window stutters in a downward trajectory.

Discuss which positions YOU want filled in the Friday Sport Weekly Topic by clicking here.