Dons wipe slate clean for Redan

ABERDEEN TAKE A LOOK AT CONTINENTAL TRIO

By Paul Third

Published:

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood says trialist Iwan Redan has arrived at Aberdeen with a clean slate.

The Dutchman joined countryman Sevanja Davids and French goalkeeper Bertrand Bossu on trial at Pittodrie yesterday.

Calderwood was quick to defend Redan, who was freed by Willem II after butting Belgian team-mate Kristof Imschoot during a cup match against De Graafschap at the end of the 2006-07 season.

The 27-year-old, who spent five months on loan with Cardiff last season, last played during the winter at RBC Roosen-daal in the second tier of Dutch football.

Calderwood has followed the player’s career closely and is willing to give him a chance to redeem himself in Scotland.

He said: “He was breaking through into the first team at RKC Waalwijk under Martin Jol when I came to Scotland.

“He was doing really well under Martin at RKC but when he left, Redan moved on to Willem II and was captain at one time for them.

“He had an argument with one of his colleagues and in Holland you get a mark against you which you can never get rid of.

“He is a good kid and is very strong.

“If he can get back to the form he showed under Martin when there was talk of a big move, he will be absolutely fabulous.”

Redan and 27-year-old French goalkeeper Bossu impressed in their first training session yesterday, but Calderwood admitted Davids, a relation of Dutch great Edgar Davids, who has been freed by Feyenoord, will need to get to grips quickly with the pace of training if he wants to impress.

He said: “Feyenoord have a fabulous youth system and Davids has come highly recommended.

“He is a left-sided centre half and we will have a look at him.

“The big goalkeeper has been at Darlington, Walsall and Gillingham.

“He is 6ft 7in and has a north-east of England accent due to the time he has spent in Britain.

“Redan and the goalkeeper did really well this morning which didn’t surprise me, but Sevanja was caught out by the pace of training as the boys were really sharp.

“Dutch lads like to think they can get a bit of time on the ball and, while he can play, he hasn’t trained for two weeks and he needs to adjust to the pace.”

Calderwood is also stepping up efforts to keep Stuart Duff and Alan Maybury at the club.

Both players are keen on staying, but Calderwood fears agreeing financial packages could be a stumbling block.

Dundee, meanwhile, are keen on taking Derek Soutar back to Dens Park.

Dark Blues manager Alex Rae is looking to bolster his squad ahead of next season and has targeted the Aber-deen goalkeeper.

With last season’s number one Craig Samson so far not committed to signing Rae is looking at alternatives and will meet Soutar this weekend.

The 26-year-old is out of contract at Pittodrie so is available on a free transfer, although Dundee will have to fight off interest from MLS side Houston Dynamo to secure his services.

Rae said: “I won’t name the players I’m trying to bring here but I am meeting with several over the weekend and hopefully if things go well we’ll be able to tie some business up next week.”