ABERDEEN manager Mark McGhee made Paul Hartley his club captain moments after the Scotland midfielder signed for the Dons on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old completed his switch to Pittodrie after ending a one-year stay with Bristol City which proved happier on the park than off it.
Hartley was keen to return to Scotland and McGhee moved in after his expected Hearts comeback fell through.
The Aberdeen manager is thrilled with his sixth summer signing and believes he can bring the best out of his young players.
"He'll be the club captain," McGhee told RedTV. "He'll be a brilliant example to the young players like Peter Pawlett and Fraser Fyvie. He could well be the making of them.
"Paul will be a bit of a policeman in the dressing room and he carries that authority and respect."
The decision means long-serving central defender Zander Diamond will have to make do as vice-captain behind a third successive club captain.
Source: PA
Source: PA