Aberdeen striker Adam Rooney is expected to finalise his departure from the club today.

The Dons forward, who has scored 78 goals in four seasons at Pittodrie, will complete the formalities of his move to English National League side Salford City.

The club, part-owned by Manchester United’s class of 1992 – Phil Neville, Gary Neville, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs – and Singaporean businessman Peter Lim, is targeting promotion to the English Football League for the first time in the club’s history.

League Two is the aim this term under manager, former Scotland international Graham Alexander and the new boss is being backed substantially in his quest to deliver promotion.

City signed Peterborough United midfielder Danny Lloyd on a three-year deal for a reported £4,000 per week and Rooney will become the latest capture in what is fast becoming a major signal of intent from the club.

Dons boss Derek McInnes is in the market for a new striker after having a £250,000 bid for Doncaster Rovers striker John Marquis rejected two weeks ago.

As Rooney heads for England, the Dons are close to completing a second loan deal for utility player Dominic Ball.

Ball, who is in the final year of his contract with Rotherham United, spent last season on loan at Pittodrie from the Millers and is set to return to the club on a season-long loan deal.

Ball’s return will give Dons boss McInnes some much-needed cover in central defence and right back as well as midfield. The Dons are short on defensive options following a groin injury to central defender Mikey Devlin and a knee injury to Andy Considine.

Ball enjoyed his spell with the Dons last season, saying: “I’ve been at five different clubs in the last four years but since settling here I’ve enjoyed my football.”

McInnes, who is also running the rule over former Hearts defender Krystian Nowak, is set to take another player on trial, with goalkeeper Dean Lyness joining the club.

The Dons are looking for cover for Joe Lewis after sending Danny Rogers on loan to Championship champions St Mirren last week. Lyness, a former youth goalkeeper at Hearts, is a free agent after leaving Nuneaton and spent last week on trial with St Johnstone.