The forward joined Aberdeen in the summer on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling, but quickly became unsettled due to problems in his personal life.

He asked for a move so he could be nearer to his children and has agreed a two and a half year contract with Barnsley, who are managed by former Middlesbrough teammate John Hendrie.

The Yorkshire club initially offered £500,000 plus winger Martin Bullock, but the latter refused to move to Pittodrie.

"I wanted to see the kids more. It was hard for them and I couldn't keep on getting phone calls with them crying because they couldn't see me," said Hignett.

"That meant I couldn't give the club 100 per cent because my mind was on other things but I think they did alright out of me on the money front."

Barnsley expect to recoup part of the fee by selling former Norwegian international striker Jan Aage Fjortoft to German club Eintracht Frankfurt for £450,000.