Boss Jim Goodwin has revealed Aberdeen beat competition from several European clubs to land Ylber Ramadani.
The first signing of a squad rebuild which ramped up further this week, Albanian international Ramadani was secured in a £100,000 transfer from Hungarian club MTK Budapest.
Ramadani, capped 15 times, signed a three-year contract with the Dons.
Goodwin confirmed other European clubs were battling to land the 26-year-old.
However, after four months of talks, the Dons finally won the race to land a midfielder Goodwin insists will bring ‘real dig’ to his side.
And Goodwin praised the work of Director of Football Steven Gunn and Head of Recruitment Darren Mowbray in getting the deal over the line.
He said: “There were a couple of clubs in Europe chasing Ylber.
“When you want to sign good quality players, there is always a bit of interest from other clubs.
“I’m delighted with the work Steven Gunn (Director of Football) did on that deal. And Darren Mowbray (Head of Recruitment) on working hard behind the scenes with the agent and making sure the dialogue never went quiet.
“Thankfully we were able to get that over the line and MTK were good to deal with as well.
“Ylber is one that I think the fans can look forward to seeing in the new season.”
Aberdeen revisit MTK Budapest
Ramadani isn’t the only player making the switch from MTK Budapest to Pittodrie this summer.
MTK Budapest striker Bojan Miovski has agreed personal terms to join the Dons on a four-year deal.
He was secured for a big fee, following successful completion of the UK immigration process.
Yet again the Reds faced off stiff competition to land one of their signing targets.
Teams from Hungary, Russia, Belgium, Poland and Switzerland were all tracking Miovski.
Hungarian side Fehervar were also keen on signing Miovski, who had a year left on his contract with MTK Budapest after their relegation from the top flight.
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Fehervar finished fourth in the Hungarian top-flight last season to qualify for the Europa Conference League.
North Macedonian international Miovski previously worked with Fehervar’s manager Michael Boris at MTK Budapest.
Despite that connection the Reds have won the battle to sign Miovski.
Competition to land signing targets
Aberdeen also face a battle to sign Norwegian striker Tobias Lauritsen.
The Dons have had an offer accepted for Lauritsen, whose deal at Norwegian top flight Odds expires on December 31.
It is understood the accepted offer is in the region of £300,000.
However, Dutch club Sparta Rotterdam have emerged as favourites to sign the 24-year-old.
Reports in Norway claim Rotterdam have offered almost £600,000 for Lauritsen, who has scored four goals in 11 games this season.
Odds are also reluctant to let the player leave before the Norwegian window opens on August 1.
Aberdeen also face competition from Premiership rivals Dundee United for Wigan Athletic midfielder Jamie McGrath.
New United manager Jack Ross has made the Republic of Ireland international one of his top signing targets.
Goodwin managed McGrath at St Mirren prior to his transfer to Wigan in January.
Aberdeen face a battle to land Wolves midfielder Connor Ronan, too.
Hearts are also interested in Ronan with Wolves understood to be willing to sell the midfielder this summer.
Goodwin accepts by targeting quality players he faces a fight to get deals done.
He is up for the fight.
Goodwin said: “Transfers nowadays take quite a bit of time and quite a bit of back and forth.
“I was delighted to get the Ylber one over the line.
“Dialogue had been back and forth since about March.
“It was a really good signing and a pleasing start.
“I want to strengthen the squad pretty much across the board.
“We are looking at a number of players in a number of different positions.”
Ramadani first arrival in rebuild
Ramadani was the first summer signing of what will be an extensive rebuild.
Following the capture of the the Albanian international on June 8, Goodwin’s summer transfer window reconstruction ramped up a gear this week.
In a quick-fire salvo, the Reds this week signed Jayden Richardson (Nottingham Forest) and Anthony Stewart (Wycombe Wanderers).
Celtic defender Liam Scales also arrived on a season-long loan.
It is understood the Dons are keen to thrash out a permanent deal for left-sided defender Scales, who is contracted to Celtic until summer 2025.
Right-back Richardson, 21, was secured for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal.
Richardson is a replacement for right-back Calvin Ramsay who completed a transfer to Liverpool that could be worth up to £8 million.
Experienced centre-back Stewart signed a pre-contract to join the Dons from Wycombe Wanderers.
The 29-year-old will join Aberdeen at the start of July on a two-year deal following the conclusion of his contract at the League One club.
Stewart played in the EFL Championship final loss to Sunderland at Wembley last month.
Ramadani will bring ‘real dig’
Goodwin insists his first summer signing, Ramadani, will bring game intelligence, dig, desire, commitment – and goals to Aberdeen.
He said: “Ylber is a midfielder who is very versatile and a rounded midfielder.
“He is technically good whilst in possession of the ball.
“Ybler has a real dig in terms of desire, commitment and level of effort.
“He chips in with some half decent goals from time to time.
“Ylber has real game intelligence.
“He is also an Albanian senior international, who is regularly involved with that team.
“Ylber will most definitely add quality to what we have.”
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