Jimmy Thelin makes Aberdeen DNA promise as clear transfer pattern emerges at Pittodrie

Only one of Jimmy Thelin’s eight Aberdeen signings has been Scottish – but the Swedish boss insists his Dons will always have a strong home core

Thelin, who brought in Scotland striker Kevin Nisbet on loan from Millwall, is scouring the domestic talent pool while also looking to keep the pathway to the first team clear for the cream of the Cormack Park academy. The Aberdeen boss said: “It’s really important to have a Scottish identity and we are working really hard with the recruitment team to do that.

“We are looking at players we want to sign because, as a Scottish team, it is good to have a core of Scottish players. That’s what we want but still we have to look at a mix because of the players that are available right now. We have special skills that we need to bring in and it’s down to what we can get. They have to be available to come to Aberdeen and be at the right price.

“But we do have a clear objective of the Aberdeen DNA and nothing has changed as far as that’s concerned. You have to respect the culture and the demands of the league you play in.”

The Swede admits that rearing their own stars is vital to Aberdeen and the club’s future. He added: “The best thing we can do is to have players in the house where those youngsters can progress to the top team. That’s what we are aiming for in the long run.

“But in the short-term we have to do the right things now. I have only been here a few months and it takes time. It’s not a quick fix and you can’t build a squad with just one person.”

Latvia skipper Kristers Tobers and on-loan Dane Jesse Okkels are Thelin’s latest signings. That has taken the Dons’ foreign legion to 14 different nationalities and Thelin, who sold Okkels to Utrecht for £3million when he was