Canada international winger Junior Hoilett aims to earn a long-term deal at Aberdeen
The 33-year-old became interim boss Neil Warnock’s first signing when penning a short-term deal until the end of the season.
Hoilett was a free agent and had been without a club since leaving Vancouver Whitecaps at the end of the 2023 MLS season.
Wing-king Hoilett has racked up more than 150 appearances in the English Premier League and played at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Hoilett played for Warnock at QPR and Cardiff City and answered an SOS from his former gaffer to sign on at the Dons.
Warnock is Pittodrie boss until the end of the season while the Donss hierarchy search for a permanent manager for the 2024-25 campaign and beyond.
Hoilett has been so impressed with Aberdeen, he hopes to earn a long-term contract to play under the new manager – whoever that is.
Asked if he would extend his stay at Pittodrie, he said: “Yes, of course.
“It’s a massive club with passionate fans and great facilities .
“The dressing room are a good bunch of guys and I have enjoyed working with them.
“He (Warnock) didn’t have to sell it one bit as it was great to come up here and see the facilities and the passionate fans.
“I am happy here and can’t wait to achieve things with this great club.”
Warnock is a ‘joy to work under’
Hoilett made his Aberdeen debut when coming off the bench in the 2-2 draw with Hibs.
He is in contention to start against fourth-placed Kilmarnock at Rugby Park today.
Hoilett revealed he was on a flight to the Granite City the morning after Warnock called to ask him to sign for the Dons.
He insists Warnock is “a joy to work under”.
He said: “The gaffer called me on the Wednesday afternoon and asked me to come up and I said: ‘Yeah, of course’.
“Obviously I have worked with him before (QPR and Cardiff), so it was a no-brainer and I got a flight the next morning.
“He knows how to get the best out of his players and his staff.
“He knows how to give you strength and confidence to perform.
“I have played for him at two clubs and we got promoted (to the English Premier League) with Cardiff.
“He is a joy to work under.”
Training with Reading as free agent
Hoilett last played in November last year when Vancouver lost out in a three-match play-off to Los Angeles FC.
He kept himself fit in the subsequent three months by training with former club, English League One Reading.
Hoilett said: “The play-offs in the MLS finished in November.
“However, I have been back over training with Reading in the last few months to keep fit and in shape.
“I had a good time over there.
“We got to the play offs, but got knocked out in the first round.”
‘Near the top of the table is where this club deserves to be’
The clash against Kilmarnock holds huge significance in the Dons’ bid to salvage some modicum of success from a disappointing Premiership campaign.
Kilmarnock, managed by former Dons boss Derek McInnes, currently sit fourth in the table – 10 points ahead of Aberdeen.
The Dons are languishing in eighth spot and Hoilett reckons every remaining league match will have the intensity of a play-off.
He said: “Near the top of the table is where this club deserves to be.
“So every game is important for us to perform to a high level and get the points to push us up the table.
“Every game will have a play-off feel and I am excited to help the team try and achieve that goal.”
No concerns about Rugby Park pitch
The high-stakes Premiership clash will be played on the Rugby Park artificial surface.
Hoilett has no problems with the surface as the winger reckons he’ll have played on far worse during international duty.
He said: “They have filled me in this week about the pitch.
“But I am used to it as I played on one in Vancouver – hopefully it is better than the one there.
“I’ve played on worse in the national team, so I am sure it will be fine.”
“I know Kilmarnock are doing well this season.
“It will be a fight and we will have to go down there, nullify their strengths and work on ours get the maximum points.”
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