Aberdeen today completed the permanent signing of former West Ham United and Cardiff City striker Nicky Maynard.

The 30-year-old is Dons boss Derek McInnes’ fourth signing of the summer.

He worked under McInnes when he was manager at Bristol City.

Dons boss McInnes spent this morning tying up the one-year deal, which meant his press conference at their training camp in St Andrews was delayed by more than an hour.

Maynard was a free agent and was at MK Dons at the end of last season.

He has commanded big transfer fees – Cardiff paid £2.5 million for him from West Ham in August 2012.

McInnes said: “It is a fantastic signing for us as he is a great boy.”

The Dons boss also remains hopeful of signing Scotland international Shaun Maloney on a permanent deal.

Maloney’s signing has been put on hold as the club investigate an injury flagged up by the 34-year-old himself.

McInnes is also hopeful he can add another signing before the Uefa transfer deadline of 11pm tonight to register players for the Europa League second qualifying round.

“We are hopeful that we can try and get someone else in by the deadline,” he said.