Aberdeen are awaiting final paperwork to complete the signing of Scotland cap David Bates from Hamburg after a fee was agreed with the Bundesliga 2 club.
The 24-year-old centre-half was out of favour in Germany after his move from Rangers in 2018.
Bates spent last season on loan to Cercle Brugge in Belgium's top flight.
Chairman David Cormack said on Twitter: "David Bates signed - just waiting for paperwork return from Germany to make it official."
Bates, who has four Scotland caps, had a previous loan spell with Sheffield Wednesday and played 21 times last season for Cercle as they finished one place above the relegation spots.