Aberdeen fight for McNaughton fee

Published on Saturday 27 May 2006 01:00

ABERDEEN have warned Cardiff City they will be prepared to fight for compensation over the loss of defender Kevin McNaughton.

The 23-year-old has agreed to join the Welsh side when his contract at Pittodrie expires on 1 July. But the Dons believe they are entitled to a compensation fee for nurturing McNaughton, who has three Scotland caps.

The full-back signed professional terms with Aberdeen in August 1999 after being a trainee at the club.

The UEFA ruling on compensation payments for players under 24 only covers moves within the same country. But Aberdeen will argue McNaughton joining the Welsh club is covered by the ruling as Cardiff are within the UK.

A Pittodrie spokesman said: "We plan to fight this all the way. We have invested heavily to bring Kevin on and believe we should be compensated."

Cardiff owner Sam Hammam is delighted with the capture and told his club's official website: "This should be a clear sign of our intentions this summer; we will have an aggressive recruitment drive."

Meanwhile, Aberdeen and Scotland defender Russell Anderson will wait before discussing a new deal. The 27-year-old, who has two years left on his contract, has been rewarded for his ten years at Pittodrie with a testimonial against Everton on 8 August.