Aberdeen FC defender Paul Quinn has today signed for Ross County on an 18-month contract.

The centre-back, 30, rejoined the Staggies after agreeing his early release from a two year deal with the Dons.

Quinn was Ross County captain last season before signing on with Derek McInnes’ Reds last summer.

An Aberdeen FC statement today said: “Everyone at the club thanks Paul for his contribution during his time here and wishes him all the very best in his future career.”

Dons boss McInnes recently confirmed players could leave Pittodrie during the January transfer window to free up funds to make an ‘impact’ signing.

Quinn’s exit will strengthen his hand to bring in a signing before the window closes on Monday.

With captain Ryan Jack and Willo Flood both side-lined for the next month with hamstring injuries central midfield is seen as a priority area.

Aberdeen are tracking Partick Thistle midfielder Stuart Bannigan who is out of contract at the end of the season but has recently held talks with Barnsley.

The Dons have also been linked with loan moves for Wigan’s out of favour Scotland international midfielder Don Cowie and Southampton’s England U21 striker Sam Gallagher.

Defender Quinn’s time at Pittodrie may have been short but he wrote his name in Pittodrie folklore by scoring the winner in a 2-1 home win over Celtic last September.

That victory was part of a club record eight game winning start to the Premiership campaign.

And Quinn could make his Ross County bow against Celtic at the weekend in the League Cup semi-final.

The stopper is available for Sunday’s clash as although on the bench for the Dons’ 2-0 third-round defeat by Hibs but did not feature.