Jimmy Thelin tells Ante Palaversa Aberdeen contract trigger is in his court as boss makes position clear

Jimmy Thelin has admitted that Aberdeen will trigger the option if Ante Palaversa makes it clear that he wants to remain and improve at Pittodrie.

The Dons signed the classy Croatian from French side Troyes in the summer for the season, with another two-year deal beyond that on the club’s side. The former Manchester City midfielder has shown flashes of genuine quality in his short-term in Scotland and Thelin admitted the key is Palaversa wanting to remain in the North-east.

The Aberdeen manager said: “Yeah, there's always discussion about the players. I think they're doing a good job there. But for me, it's most important that the player feels like I want to be here and want to grow here. I trust the process and if that's the case, let's see what happens in the future.

“I always think the environment is crucial for people. The players are people and you have to have an environment where you can feel you can grow.

“Of course, there are always demands, and there is always pressure. It is to create an environment where we can make the players grow and feel like they have space to grow also.

“There is always a process there in which we trust. The players feel that we trust them.”

There is no doubting Palaversa’s pedigree but he needed a platform to rebuild his career. Thelin and the Dons have provided that.

The 24-year-old spent most of his time at City out on-loan before he moved to Troyes but then found himself struggling for game time. Thelin has been impressed but reckons there is even more to come from Palaversa.

Thelin claimed: “Yeah, I think like, as I told you, you can see his quality as a footballer. “He is becoming a bigger character in the dressing room and on the pitch. “I think you can always grow as a leader.