Aberdeen beat St Mirren to Olusanya loan from Houston

Toyosi Olusanya hopes to "pick up where I left off" after signing for Scottish Premiership rivals Aberdeen on loan from Houston Dynamo despite an approach from former club St Mirren.

The 28-year-old was bought by the Major League Soccer club from the Paisley outfit in April but made only six substitute appearances before being sent on loan to Doncaster Rovers for the first half of the League One season.

The London-born forward made 11 appearances, eight as a substitute, and has not scored since finding the net for St Mirren in a 2-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox in February.

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson revealed that he had tried in vain to bring Olusanya back to the club.

The forward is delighted to have joined "a huge club" and wants "to score goals".

"The last two years at St Mirren were good for me," Olusanya told Aberdeen's website. "Scottish football is where I really made a name for myself and hopefully, I can pick up where I left off."

Olusanya arrives as a replacement for Jesper Karlsson, who was recalled from his loan at Pittodrie by Bologna pending a permanent transfer to Utrecht.

Aberdeen have yet to replace the sacked Jimmy Thelin as manager, but sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel believes they are making positive progress with three January signings.

"We've been clear that during this window we need to make changes to the dynamics of the squad," he said.

"Toyosi's arrival bolsters our attacking options and offers a different threat to what we currently have in the squad. He is physical and brings an aggression that we need at this moment."

Overall, the forward scored 19 goals in 85 appearances for St Mirren and Robinson was keen to add him to his own injury-hit squad.

"I tried to get him back here," he revealed. "Unfortunately, we didn't have the funds to do that.

"We wish Toyosi all the best. He's a super boy, great kid, but it wasn't for the want of trying."

Olusanya, who began his career with Wimbledon before spells with Kingstonian, Walton Casuals, Fleet Town, Gosport Borough, Cheshunt, Billericay Town, Middlesbrough and Arbroath, believes he is ready to face Livingston on Saturday.