Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood hopes July will be busy on the transfer front for the Dons after a quiet start to the summer.Several senior players left Pittodrie at the end of last season, including midfielder Barry Nicholson who will join Championship side Preston on a 'Bosman' free transfer.

Preston have revealed Nicholson, 29, has agreed to a two-year contract at Deepdale with an option for a third year.

Calderwood secured former Kilmarnock midfielder Gary McDonald from Oldham on a pre-contract in April but has made no more major additions to his squad.

French goalkeeper Bertrand Bossu joined on a free transfer from Walsall and is expected to be a reserve, while 17-year-old Northern Irish midfielder Sammy Stewart has also arrived.

Aberdeen are eager to strengthen their first team, but Calderwood admits it proved difficult to negotiate deals during June.

"If you look all over the board, apart from the big, big clubs it's been slow," he said.

"There's not been a lot happening anywhere really.

"It's been very difficult but hopefully we can speed that up in the coming weeks."

Calderwood confirmed there was no progress to report on a permanent move for defender Alan Maybury, who remains a target after a successful loan spell with Aberdeen in the second half of last season.

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