Hemmings pens Dundee deal
Dundee boss Paul Hartley has confirmed Barnsley striker Kane Hemmings will join the Dens Park side this summer.
But the Dark Blues manager has decided not to offer new deals to out-of-contract trio David Clarkson, Paul Heffernan and Kyle Benedictus.
Former Rangers youth Hemmings won his Oakwell move last summer after netting 24 goals for Cowdenbeath as he was voted the 2013/14 Scottish Championship player of the year by PFA Scotland.
But the Englishman has managed just five goals for the Tykes this term and has now decided to return to Scotland after penning a three-year deal with the Dee.
Meanwhile, the club has announced another raft of departures just a day after confirming midfielders Iain Davidson and Jamie Reid would be leaving.
Former Motherwell frontman Clarkson made a stunning start to his life on Tayside as he netted in his first eight starts after returning north after stints with Bristol City, Brentford and Bristol Rovers.
But the goals have dried up and he has scored just once since September.
Former Kilmarnock and Hibernian forward Heffernan was another who made the switch to Dens last summer but Hartley hoped the move would produce more than two goals from 20 appearances.
Benedictus came through the youth ranks at Dens and has been in and around the first team since making his debut at 17.
The 23-year-old helped the side to last year's Championship title success but has spent much of this season on loan at Alloa.
A club spokesman said: "We would like to thank all three players for their efforts while at Dens and wish them all the best in the future."
Dundee manager Paul Hartley has challenged his side to end the season on a high as they bid to end a run of five consecutive defeats when they host Aberdeen.
"It's important we end this run," he said. "I think it's more of a mental thing.
"We did our job by getting into the top six but it's trying to carry it out against the top teams in the top half of the table that's the next thing.
"We want to finish the season on a high and the games we've played against Aberdeen this season have been good."
Dundee goalkeeper Scott Bain will miss the Scottish Premiership visit of Aberdeen with a knee injury.
Kyle Letheren stepped in for Bain last week and tests showed his season is over.
Thomas Konrad is a doubt with a knock but Phil Roberts could come into the squad after returning from a loan spell at Alloa.
Irish winger Jonny Hayes feels Aberdeen team-mate Adam Rooney can be the natural goalscorer his country is crying out for.
Rooney this week earned his first full call-up for the Republic of Ireland after being named in Martin O'Neill's 33-man provisional squad for a friendly against England and their Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland on June 13.
Rooney has netted 27 goals this season but faces stiff competition from the likes of Robbie Keane, Anthony Stokes, Daryl Murphy, Jon Walters, Kevin Doyle, Shane Long, David McGoldrick and Simon Cox.
But Hayes, a former Republic Under-21 international, is convinced Rooney provides something different.
The Dubliner said: "He's a natural goalscorer, something that maybe Ireland don't have at the minute.
"Robbie Keane is obviously getting on a bit now and the others that play up front, I don't think any of them really have the instinct that Adam has to score goals.
"So hopefully he gets a run out and gets the chance to score a tap-in from a few yards out and stays in the squad for the qualifier."
Rooney netted eight goals in his first 11 games for Aberdeen after joining in January 2014 from Oldham and Hayes felt the 27-year-old's goalscoring talent could have been recognised earlier.
"It's only towards the end of the season that people have realised how many goals he scores," said Hayes, who also played with Rooney at Inverness.
"He's had a great record since he signed for Aberdeen and with his nomination for (PFA Scotland) player of the year, a lot of press have picked up on it.
"We have always been confident in Adam's ability to score goals. God knows how many points he has won us this season by getting goals."
Aberdeen take on Dundee on Saturday without Niall McGinn, Mark Reynolds, Willo Flood, Ryan Jack and Kenny McLean, who are all rested because of summer international commitments or to avoid a suspension.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen striker Declan McManus has agreed a three-year contract with Sky Bet League One side Fleetwood, who are managed by former Scotland international Graham Alexander.
The Dons announced on Thursday that the 20-year-old had rejected an offer to extend his contract beyond the summer after netting 23 goals on loan at Morton this season.
Source: PAR
