Funso Ojo says Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes’s willingness to go the extra mile for him was the deciding factor in him choosing the Dons over Hibernian.
The Belgian midfielder last night completed his £125,000 move from Scunthorpe United to Aberdeen when he signed a three-year deal and he believes McInnes’s desire to have him on board swayed him towards Pittodrie instead of Easter Road.
He said: “I was in Edinburgh when he was still ringing me and he wanted to come get me in the middle of the night. I told him I would drive myself up and not to worry about it and he spent the whole day with me. We talked about football and other things and he touched something in me.
“I’m really happy to be here. I’ve been here since this morning but it all feels real now. It’s a big relief and the pressure is off my shoulders now.”
When asked what made him choose the Dons, Ojo said: “All the effort Aberdeen put in. I did research online and spoke to certain players. I didn’t want to come up based on what people told me and that’s a lesson I’ve learned now. I’m 27 but I’m still learning.
“You have to see for yourself and get your own impression and when I came up I spoke to the gaffer and (head of recruitment) Russ Richardson. I saw the city and how big the club is and thought this is the right step for me.”
Ojo was given a tour of the Dons training ground before signing his new deal. He hopes his new team-mates can get a positive result against RoPS on Thursday so he can make his debut in the second qualifying round of the Europa League. He is ineligible to face the Finns.
The former PSV Eindhoven player said: “The training ground was impressive. I’ve been to some nice training grounds but this one is new and all the technology is going to be state of the art. Europe is a massive attraction.
“I’ve played in Europe before with my first club and haven’t played in Europe since. The Champions League is the highest level but the Europa League is right underneath it.
“I want to have the ball at my feet and dictate the game. I want to be the link from the manager to the pitch either by slowing it down or speeding it up. I want the players around me to be better.
“I won’t be the standout player people come to see but I will make sure those who are stand out as I’ll get the ball to them.”