Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin insists summer signings Bojan Miovski and Ylber Ramadani will be worth the wait.
Striker Miovski and midfielder Ramadani were both signed from Hungarian club MTK Budapest as part of a summer rebuild.
However they were not in the squad for the 7-1 friendly defeat of Brechin City as their arrival has been hit by red tape.
It is understood both Miovski and Ramadani will not be available for the season opener Premier Sports Cup clash with Peterhead on Sunday.
Albanian international Ramadani, a £100,000 signing, has successfully had his Visa processed.
However the midfielder, 26, is still awaiting his passport to be returned from the Visa process before he can travel to the Granite City.
North Macedonian international Miovski, 23, trained with the Dons at their Spanish training camp last week.
However Miovski, a £535,000 capture, could not travel to Scotland with the squad as he is still awaiting his Visa to be processed.
Frustration at red tape delay
Brexit red tape has drawn out the process of the two signings meeting up with the Dons.
Goodwin said: “We believe Ramadani and Miovski are worth waiting for.
“Because of the situation with Brexit, we have quite a lengthy visa process to go through.
“The guys here behind the scenes are doing everything they can legally to try and hurry things up.
‘But we’re in the same boat as everyone else applying for Visas and passports at the moment.
“It doesn’t happen quite as quickly as any of us would like.”
Almost £1 million in transfer fees
Aberdeen have splashed out close to £1 million in transfer fees already this summer.
As well as the fees for Miovski and Ramadani the Dons also secured right-back Jayden Richardson in a £300,000 swoop from Nottingham Forest.
Goodwin accepts signing players already tied to clubs also draws out the process of getting them to Pittodrie.
He said: “When you’re in the free agent market and guys are available, you can make them an offer today and sign them tomorrow.
“But when you’re actually trying to sign players who are already contracted to clubs, there’s quite a lengthy negotiation process that needs to go on.
“You need to get a transfer fee agreed, personal terms agreed with the player and the agent.”
Comfortable defeat of Brechin City
Aberdeen concluded their pre-season preparations with a comfortable 7-1 defeat of Highland League Brechin City.
Summer signings Anthony Stewart and keeper Kelle Roos both made their debuts.
Centre-back Stewart, who signed a two year contract following the expiration of his contract at Wycombe Wanderers, was made captain for the friendly.
Aberdeen netted through Vicente Besuijen (2), Christian Ramirez, Matty Kennedy, Jonny Hayes, Marley Watkins and Liam Harvey.
Aberdeen have spread their scouting net across Europe this season and Miovski and Ramadani are the fruits of those labours.
Head of Recruitment Darren Mowbray has already visited 16 countries in Europe since Goodwin’s appointment in mid February.
Despite the Brexit red tape Goodwin is confident scouring the European market will pay dividends for the Dons.
Goodwin said: “I think a club the size of Aberdeen with the resources we have available it would be very naive of us just to sign players from the UK.
“The strategy and recruitment policy put in place is what you would expect from any big club.
“I can’t imagine there are too many teams out there doing it better than what we are at the moment.
“It is the most important part for any football club.”
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