Goalkeeper Scott Brown yesterday revealed Michael Hector sold him on a move to Scottish football with Aberdeen.
The 29-year-old spoke to the Reading defender, who spent the first half of last season on loan at Pittodrie, about moving to the Dons and Hector gave Derek McInnes and his players a glowing recommendation.
That has prompted the Cheltenham Town goalkeeper to reject a new contract from the club, ending his 10-year spell with the English League 2 side in favour of a move to Scotland.
Brown said: “As soon as I heard about their interest I was very keen as it is a fantastic football club with a rich history. When I spoke to the manager he sold it to me even more.
“He was really positive, told me he would be a great manager to work with. I asked Michael Hector about it and he had nothing but positive things to say about the players and the city.
“I played with Michael at Cheltenham and he is a great lad. Whatever he does in his career I’m sure he will do well.”
Brown, who was a first-team regular at Cheltenham, knows he has taken a risk in moving to Aberdeen but it was one he believes he would have regretted passing up.
He said: “It was a difficult decision as I’ve had a great 10 years there but I’m 29 now and I want to push myself.
“If I didn’t sign for Aberdeen I’d always be regretting it as a chance like this doesn’t come along very often.
“I’ve watched a lot of the games on the telly and been impressed with the football the team plays.
“At Cheltenham we were a lot more direct and it was nice to see this team playing out from the back.
“I saw the 40,000 supporters at the cup final, too, which must have been unbelievable to be involved in. It shows the passion for the club from the city and I want to be part of it.”
Brown, who will join his new team-mates for pre-season training on June 12, is looking forward to challenging Jamie Langfield for the goalkeeper position.
He said: “Every time I saw Jamie play last year he did well but I’m here to challenge him. If he is playing I’ll be right behind him and I’m sure if I play he will be right behind me.
“Jim Leighton is a legend and if I can’t learn from working with him and Jamie Langfield I never will. I’ve never worked with a full-time goalkeeper coach since I left Wolves.”