Aberdeen have confirmed the departure of Willo Flood, who has returned to Dundee United.

The club agreed to terminate the Irishman’s contract after he expressed his desire to move on.

The midfielder made 104 appearances for the Dons, scoring three goals since arriving in the summer of 2013.

He also started in the 2013-14 League Cup final win over Inverness.

He becomes Dundee United’s sixth summer signing and is keen to join the rebuilding job at the club.

Flood still lives in Dundee and had been linked with the recently-relegated side throughout the summer.

The Irishman appeared in both of the games against Luxembourg’s Fola Esch but was expected to miss tonight’s match with a back injury.

A highly-rated youngster, he started his career at Manchester City but moved on in search of more playing time.

He joined Cardiff City but spent two seasons on loan at Dundee United, before signing for Celtic in 2009.

Desperately short on playing time, Flood decided to join Gordon Strachan’s sizeable Scottish contingent at Middlesbrough a year later.

And in May 2011, he re-joined Dundee United where he became a key figure, appearing 84 times in all competitions in two years.

Aberdeen came calling and signed him on a pre-contract, with Derek McInnes calling him an “ideal” signing.

The 31-year-old has been a valuable part of the Dons midfield since, establishing a solid partnership with Ryan Jack.

McInnes praised the midfielder for his contribution to the side during his time with the club.

He said: “Everyone at Aberdeen FC wishes Willo well.

“He was as significant a signing that I’ve made since I came here and has played a pivotal role both on and off the park and has been a pleasure to work with.

“I really appreciated his demanding nature and he’s a very popular figure around the place.

“We wish Willo all the very best with whatever club he continues his career at and he’ll always be welcome back at Pittodrie in the future.”