By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

28th Jan, 2023 | 8:00am

Sources: Watford star Mattie Pollock agrees to join Aberdeen ahead of Sheffield Wednesday

Watford defender Mattie Pollock has agreed to join Aberdeen, sources have told Football Insider.

The 21-year-old was close to joining Exeter City earlier this month, but Watford feel a move to the Scottish Premiership is the best step in the next stage of his development.

Aberdeen and Hibernian have both expressed an interest in Pollock ahead of Tuesday’s transfer cut-off.

But the Dons are set to sign the centre-back after reaching an agreement, in what will be a blow to his English suitors who also include Sheffield Wednesday.

Pollock has made four appearances in all competitions for Watford this season.

He started three of those outings though only one of those starts came in the Championship.

Watford have also lost every game Pollock has featured in this term.

The defender spent the 2021-22 season on loan at League One side Cheltenham Town.

He started in all of his 39 total appearances for the club as he finished the season with three goals and two assists to his name.

Pollock joined Watford from Grimsby in the summer of 2021 but his four appearances this season represent his only outings for the Hornets.

Jim Goodwin is fighting for his job at Aberdeen after a poor run of results topped off by a humiliating defeat to minnows Darvel in the Scottish Cup earlier this week.

In a statement (25 January), Chairman Dave Cormack backed Goodwin but told his manager that results had to improve quickly.

Aberdeen are next in action against Hibs on Saturday (28 January).

In other news, Sources: Liverpool in talks to agree two deals as Nat Phillips negotiates permanent exit