A former footballer turned entrepreneur has agreed to sell part of his business to commercial laundry business, Fishers.

Fishers has struck a deal to acquire the laundry division of Banchory-based Deeside Cleaners from former Aberdeen FC defender Doug Considine.

Fishers washes, dries and irons more than two million items a week from six sites across Scotland and the North of England.

Considine, who won the Scottish Premier Division under Sir Alex Ferguson during a three-year spell at Pittodrie, will stay on in a part-time role.

Michael Jones, managing director at Fishers, said: “Deeside has built up a fantastic business with great customers whose needs we will work tirelessly to meet.

“I am excited to conclude this deal with Doug and that he has agreed to stay on and work with us, firstly to make sure the transition goes smoothly and to maintain regular contact with customers, many of whom he’s been working with for many years, then to help Fishers to further develop our business in the Aberdeen area.”

Now 62, Considine has spent almost four decades growing the business. “I am thrilled to have found such a high calibre long-term home for the business that has been my life for the last 37 years,” he said.

“I look forward to working with Fishers over the next few years and to having more time to spend with my family and friends.”