Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward joins Aberdeen on season-long loan

Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward has departed Anfield and joined Scottish side Aberdeen on a season-long loan.

"Liverpool have confirmed Danny Ward has joined Aberdeen on a season-long loan," a statement on the Reds' official site read.

The 22-year-old Wales U21 international, who joined the Reds from Wrexham during the 2012 January transfer window, is heading out for his second loan spell after previously spending time with Morecambe in League Two.

Ward, who became the third choice keeper at Anfield following the summer arrival of Adam Bogdan from Bolton Wanderers, was named 23 times on the bench last season for the first-team.

The Wrexham-born goalkeeper is rated highly by the coaching staff at the Merseyside club and recently penned a new long-term contract. He is expected to make his debut for his new club during their upcoming friendly with St Johnstone in Brechin.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes expressed his delight after capturing the young stopper from the Premier League giants, and admitted that they have been monitoring Ward over a period of time before making a move.

"I am delighted to get Danny on board. He is a young goalkeeper we have been aware of for some time. We are thankful to Liverpool and Brendan (Rodgers) in particular for allowing this to happen," McInnes told Aberdeen's official site.

"He is someone who is highly regarded at his club and they see the importance of getting him out on loan. Danny now has the task and challenge of playing football at a good level with us."

"We have real competition for places in all areas of the team, and we certainly now have that in the goalkeeping position," the former Rangers midfielder explained.

"We believe Danny is going to have a good career as he goes forward and we are looking forward to the opportunity of working with him as part of his development. He can also help us to be successful," he added.

Ward becomes Liverpool's fifth departure of the summer, albeit the first temporary one. Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Iago Aspas and Brad Jones are the four who have left the club on a permanent basis.