Aberedeen want Stefan Gartenmann for keeps as Barry Robson reveals chase to land instant hit

Barry Robson wants Aberdeen to sign Stefan Gartenmann permanently.

The Dons boss admitted he chased the Danish defender for three months before he finally landed him on a season-long loan from Midtjylland. Gartenmann, 26, arrived at Pittodrie on deadline day and has been a key figure in Aberdeen’s recent revival that’s seen them extend their unbeaten run to five games, domestically and in Europe.

Asked if he wanted to sign Gartenmann long-term, Robson said: “Yes. I chased Stefan for three months. He’s quick, calm and good with the ball.” It was a game of patience for Robson as he had to wait to land two of his main defensive targets, Gartenmann and Finland’s Richard Jensen from Gornik Zabrze. The Dons boss was rewarded as the transfer clock ticked down and things fell his way. There was a lot of poker played in the transfer market with teams looking to maximise the financial rewards for their prize assets.

Robson wasn’t able to get the targets he wanted in for the Europa League qualifier with Hacken or their early league games but is adamant it was all about the long game. He’s also been backed as the Aberdeen board have invested some of the money they’ll make from their return to the group stage of European football, via the Europa Conference League. Robson said: “If you have a tactical and defensive model you have to wait a long time to get the defenders you are looking for.

“There were a lot of players we tried to chase.The board and the club have been great in supporting us. Stefan and Richard were players we had chased for a wee while. I wanted to get them so I waited. They came in late in the window but are here and will hopefully be Aberdeen players for a long time.”

A fee will need to be agreed with Midtjylland