Jesper Karlsson says a reunion with Jimmy Thelin was a “massive issue” in his eye-catching mortgage swap to Aberdeen because the Sweden winger makes an attempt to make his profession “fly” once more.
The 27-year-old has toiled to make his mark in Serie A with Bologna since a big-money transfer from AZ Alkmaar two years in the past.
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Karlsson, a deadline-day arrival at Pittodrie, beforehand had a two-year stint taking part in beneath present Dons supervisor Thelin at Elfsborg.
“I’ve relationship with Jimmy since I performed in Sweden, so this was a sensible choice for me,” Karlsson informed Pink TV.
“He was a giant think about me coming right here. I used to be younger when he got here in [at Elfsborg], however I bear in mind properly his approach of treating gamers. Very skilled, but in addition excellent on the human aspect.
“He made my profession fly a bit when it was the identical scenario that I did not play. Then he was a bit of bit laborious on me after which I began to play.
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“We had good instances collectively in Sweden and we have now saved involved additionally after I was in Holland and Italy.”
Karlsson, who has 14 Sweden caps, spent the second half of final season on mortgage at Lecce after making simply 15 appearances in his first 18 months at Bologna, the place he discovered concerning the Dons from former midfield favorite Lewis Ferguson.
“It has been a interval in Italy the place I’ve not been taking part in a lot with consistency, however I talked to the opposite sports activities administrators [at Aberdeen] and I obtained a really good and heat feeling,” he mentioned.
“They need me right here and that was necessary for me in my scenario. So I really feel prefer it was a win-win scenario for each of us.
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“After all I spoke to him [Ferguson] about Aberdeen. Even earlier than this switch window, after I noticed the Scottish Cup win, and he is aware of that I do know Jimmy, typically we joke about it.
“He’s such an Aberdeen fan additionally. Each time Aberdeen received he was glad, however when it was one [bad] streak final season he was not too glad!”