Aberdeen beat Inverness CT in race to sign Miles Storey

Storey scored in his final game for Inverness CT on Saturday. Picture: SNS

The Dons have secured the 22-year-old Swindon striker’s signature ahead of Caley Thistle, who wanted him to stay in the Highlands following a successful loan spell.

A statement on the Dons’ website read: “Aberdeen Football Club are pleased to announce that Miles  Storey has agreed to join the club on July 1 2016 once his present contract with Swindon expires on June 30 2016.”

Storey hit 13 goals in 37 games at Inverness this season, including seven in his first 11 matches.

Inverness manager John Hughes had identified  Storey’s signing as one of his priorities ahead of Caley Thistle’s final-day 4-0 win over Dundee.

But a club statement read: “Due to Miles Storey’s age and the transfer  regulations we were unable  to speak, or make an offer, to him until very recently.

“The club made the best offer we could, but Miles has decided that his future lies elsewhere.”

Inverness have extended the contracts of Aaron Doran, Alex Fisher and Lewis Horner after missing out on Storey.

Doran has signed a two-year contract with the club, holding an added one-year option. The 25-year-old has not played since the club’s Europa League games against Astra in July after picking up a knee injury in pre-season. But the Irishman has recently returned to fitness and, with more than 150 appearances for the club under his belt, Hughes was keen to retain his services.

Striker Fisher made only three substitute appearances after joining from Torquay in January, his season finished by a chipped bone in his ankle. But the 25-year-old had shown enough to earn himself a six-month contract, which the club can extend for another year.

Horner has earned a one-year contract after making 18 appearances this  season.

Under-20s players Ali Sutherland, Cammy Mackay and Jason Brown have all been given professional contracts.