ABERDEEN defender Ronald Hernandez is closing in on an £800,000 switch to MLS outfit Atlanta United, according to reports.

The Venezuelan internationalist sealed a move to Pittodrie in January for a similar fee but has barely featured for Derek McInnes' side, making just six appearances in that time.

The full-back, who has struggled to adapt since moving to Scotland, was recently given permission to fly back to his homeland to be reunited with his family, with McInnes admitting that the club have a duty of care towards Hernandez.

“We’re sympathetic to the fact he had only seen his family one day while he was on international duty in a calendar year," the Dons boss said after his side's recent win over Kilmarnock.

Glasgow Times:

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“It’s such an important thing for him to be home. A few weeks ago I told him that was our intention despite the busy fixtures we had. We felt a duty of care to do the right thing by him and it meant a lot to him that we acknowledged how long he had been away.

“He didn’t quite make it back for Christmas but that was due to borders being shut. But the club went above and beyond to make it happen.”

Now, according to the Daily Record, Hernandez is closing in on a move to Atlanta United - the same club that Aberdeen unveiled a strategic partnership with earlier this year.

With the January transfer window set to reopen, it is believed that the Dons could recoup the entire £800,000 outlay they shelled out for Hernandez in the first instance.