Aberdeen talk up transfer capture of their 'standard setter' as Thelin raves about Heltne Nilsen

New Aberdeen signing Sivert Heltne Nilsen is delighted at getting the chance to work with Jimmy Thelin again after completing his switch from Norwegian side Brann.

The 32-year-old has joined the club for a fee of around £300,000 and has penned a deal at Pittodrie until the summer of 2027. The vastly experienced Norwegian is boss Thelin's fourth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Gavin Molloy, Peter Ambrose and St Johnstone's Dimitar Mitov and has been reacquainted with the 46-year-old, having previously played under him at Swedish club Elfsborg between 2019 and 2021.

Heltne Nilsen played a key role in the Elfsborg team that finished as runners' up in the Allsvenskan in 2020 and is excited to be a part of Thelin's new project in the Granite City. Speaking to the club's website, he said: “It is a really good feeling to be an Aberdeen player. There are many reasons for coming here. It is an opportunity to play football at a very high level for a number of years and be part of a project with Jimmy, someone I know well.

“I believe he got the best out of me and I want to learn more from him and I want to be part of this project. I know the supporters in Aberdeen are amazing and the city is a football city.

"I have been following the club on social media and learning about the history. This is something I want to fight for and I will give everything to make Aberdeen a winning team.”

Manager Thelin added: “Sivert is a leader who brings with him a real will to win. Having worked with him previously I know he will set standards, both on and off the pitch, and his experience will help some of our emerging talent in the squad. There was a strong desire from Sivert to come to Aberdeen and experience Scottish football.”