ultimatum to arabs midfielder pays off as united powerhouse puts england on hold in favour of pittodrie
Winner Calderwood collects on his Mark Kerr marker
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Dundee United midfielder Mark Kerr last night agreed to sign for Aberdeen – after being given an ultimatum by Dons manager Jimmy Calderwood.
Calderwood told Kerr it was now or never – and the gamble paid off when the player agreed to a Pittodrie move.
Kerr has agreed personal terms and will sign a two-year deal on Monday when he completes his medical.
Calderwood said: “We had been speaking to Mark for a long time about coming here and he seemed keen. But, with English clubs involved, I feared the worst.
“A week ago I was told he was going to England but he told me we were still in the running and we have been speaking all week.
“I called him in the morning to say I needed an answer now and wanted him in training tomorrow and then the phone went quiet.
“Mark said he would sign for us but asked if he could start on Monday as he is currently on holiday. I told him since he has agreed, he could have a couple of extra days.”
Calderwood insists the 26-year-old, who joined the Arabs from Falkirk in 2003, will be an excellent addition to the Dons squad.
He said: “Lee Miller is Mark’s best friend and that has probably helped swing things our way.
“Mark’s fitness levels are phenomenal and he has matured in the last two years. He is defensively aware and he is a consistent player who does not give the ball away.
“It was a wonderful team effort from Dundee United last season in the league – but Mark played a huge role in that. I think he is a lad who wanted a change of scenery after five years at United and I think he will enjoy his time here. He has phenomenal energy levels which is why I have allowed him to start on Monday and I am sure he will fit in very well here.”
Kerr is relishing his switch to Pittodrie – although he has not ruled out a future move to England.
He said: “I am delighted to finally get everything sorted. I had a few options but in the end I felt Aberdeen was the best one for me at this stage of my career.
“I still want a crack at England but I am still only 26 and I know if I have a couple of decent years at Aberdeen then that chance will come again.
“I felt I did well for Dundee United last season and I want to build on that. I would love to try to break into the Scotland team and I feel moving Aberdeen could help my cause.
“They have done well in recent seasons and I hope I can continue to help them be as successful in the SPL and in Europe."
Kerr joins Gary McDonald, Bertrand Bossu and Sam Stewart as the new recruits in Calderwood’s squad and they could be joined next week by Dutch defender Tim Bakens.
The former RKC Waalwijk centre half, who has expressed an interest in playing for teams outside of Holland, has been offered a contract by the Dons and is now considering a move to Scotland.
