It's January 2013, and Peter Pawlett has just returned to Aberdeen from a three-month loan spell at St Johnstone. Having spent much of the previous two seasons on the sidelines under Craig Brown, the departure of youngster Ryan Fraser to Bournemouth has opened an unlikely route back into the team when at one stage it appeared that Pawlett's time at Pittodrie had come to an end.

Fast-forward eleven months, and the young man who was previously thought of as one of Scotland's finest young wingers has re-invented himself as an all-action attacking central midfielder under new manager Derek McInnes. Keeping experienced professionals such as Barry Robson out of the team, he has become a mainstay in what many regard to be one of the Scottish Premiership's strongest squads.

Born in Hull in February 1991, Peter Pawlett was brought up in Banchory in Aberdeenshire and was signed by Aberdeen FC at a young age. He made his debut at the age of 18 in a 5-0 Scottish Cup win over East Fife in February 2009, and first appeared in the Scottish Premier League in May of the same year, coming on as a substiute in a 3-1 defeat to Celtic. 

Over the next season-and-a-half Pawlett saw regular first-team football at Pittodrie and was called up to the Scotland Under-21 squad, although his playing time was hampered severely by injuries, first to his knee (an injury which required surgery and resulted in a five-month absence) and also to his toe, a knock which resulted in a three-month spell on the sidelines. 

The 2011/12 season saw Pawlett used more sparingly, but that did not stop the youngster from attracting controversy. In a 1-0 victory over Hibernian at Pittodrie, he went to ground theatrically in the penalty area under a challenge from Ivan Sproule. The penalty was awarded and scored. but the Scottish FA issued Pawlett with a two-match suspension which Aberdeen accepted.

The 2012/13 season began with Pawlett reduced to a sporadic substitute's role, with Jonny Hayes and teenage sensation Ryan Fraser enjoying great success on the pitch. It was eventually decided that Pawlett would go  on loan to St Johnstone until January, with the option of an extension or a permanent transfer available. It was seen as a huge blow to Pawlett's career, although not many inside Pittodrie were surprised to see him go.

However, everthing changed in the January transfer window of 2013, as Ryan Fraser opted not to sign a new contract with the Dons. AFC Bournemouth saw their opportunity, and signed the Scotland Under-21 international for a paltry £400,000. Aberdeen immediately recalled Pawlett from his loan, and went on to play regularly throughout the remainder of the season.

The real turning point in Pawlett's career, however, was the arrival of Derek McInnes as Aberdeen manager at the end of the season. He recognised that Pawlett had all the hallmarks of a vital cog in the Aberdeen engine. Many were surprised at the decision to move a so-called 'out-and-out winger' into the centre of midfield, but the shift proved to be inspired. Pawlett has been involved in every Dons game this season, scoring three goals and setting up several more for his teammates and keeping experienced professionals such as Barry Robson on the substitutes' bench.

So what next for Peter Pawlett? He recently signed a new contract which will see him remain at Pittodrie until 2017, showing just how highly-rated he is at Aberdeen. Despite this, if his scintillating form continues, a move to pastures new and greener may not be far away.