Dons legend Niall McGinn has told the Morning Bulletin he can't wait to get back playing in front of a packed Aberdeen crowd - as he gears up for the Home Nations Masters tournament at P&J Live.
The entertaining winger was a hugely popular figure amongst the Aberdeen support, scoring 71 goals in close to 300 appearances for the Granite City club.
More recently, McGinn had been playing for Peterhead but swapped that the Blue Toon for an academy role with Derry City.
But now, Niall is heading back to North-east and linking up with some familiar faces in the latest Masters tournament at P&J Live in November.
After attending the previous tournaments as a spectator, Niall is participating in the Home Nations tournament as part of an All Ireland team that also features his former Dons teammate Jonny Hayes.
Speaking to the Morning Bulletin, Niall said: "I'm excited about it for different reasons, and it's a chance to come back to Aberdeen.
"I was there watching the Masters last year, supporting the boys and supporting Jonny.
"Obviously it gives you a bit of a buzz, you want to go out and play. It brings back memories, playing with old teammates again and people you haven't seen for a long time.
"It's something different this time with the Home Nations and having an All Ireland team as well.
"Getting the opportunity to play with talented players who you watched and maybe played against over the years, but to actually put on the jersey and play with the likes of the players that will be there is really exciting and will be good fun as well.
"There always will be a competitive side to it. You probably think you're going to go there and take it easy but once it starts the competitiveness within yourself takes over, that's for sure."
A star-studded line-up of ex-pros representing England, All Ireland, Wales and Scotland has already been announced, and Niall is looking forward to rubbing shoulders with old friends and players he's admired from a distance.
He said: "The likes of Wes Hoolahan is a player I've always admired from afar because he's always technically very good both for clubs and country.
"Any opportunity to play with old teammates I'm excited about.
"I think stuff like this is enjoyable. It's good for fans to be able to come out and see players they've enjoyed watching for their respective teams.
Following two successful Masters tournaments hosted at P&J Live in recent years, Niall how important it is for the city to attract events of this scale, and the huge crowds that come with it.
He said: "For the city itself, for Aberdeen to hold an event like this is pretty big and it is a bit special. It's huge.
"It just shows how well the Masters events have done over the last couple of years that they can attract big name players. Hopefully it's something that can gather momentum and become a regular thing.
"I remember when I was young it was always good fun to watch the Masters but to have the opportunity to play in it exciting. I'm really looking forward to it."
Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, has urged the North-east to get behind the event and snap up tickets.
“There’s a line you still hear from time to time that ‘nae good stuff comes to Aberdeen’," he said.
"The reality is very different. Events like the Home Nations Masters, the Chamber’s own UMF series and many others show there is a real appetite for top-class entertainment in the North-east.
“The important thing now is to build on that momentum. Every packed venue sends a message to promoters that Aberdeen is a city worth bringing their biggest events to, and that gives them the confidence to come back and do more.
“So when great events come here, let’s get behind them. The more we support what’s happening on our doorstep, the stronger the case becomes for bringing even more to the North-east.”
For more information, or to purchase tickets, click here.