New Aberdeen goalkeeper Scott Brown has revealed the heartache behind his move to the Dons.
Brown’s father Pete, a retired club tennis professional, died earlier this month from Parkinson’s and dementia at a care home in Wolverhampton.
The Dons new signing said his father’s death played a part in his decision to leave Cheltenham Town, where he had been based for the last 10 years, and join a club that had been chasing him throughout the season.
He said: “Once dad passed away there was nothing for us to stay in Wolverhampton for.
“That is what really made the decision. When dad was ill I wanted to be around as much as possible but unfortunately he sadly passed away. It has been a difficult few weeks in many ways.
“I can only just thank the Cheltenham supporters for everything they have done for me and hopefully in the future I can come back and show them how much I have improved as a goalkeeper.
“I am a very ambitious guy and I want to push myself as much as I can and unfortunately that meant leaving. It’s not something I wanted to do but I want to push myself as much as possible and when this opportunity came along I could not turn it down.
“Maybe I can come back one day and play for Cheltenham Town again and show people how I have improved.”
Brown, who recently became a father for the first time, is sad to be calling time on his career with the Robins but is looking forward to a new challenge in Scotland with the Dons.
He said: “It was such a difficult decision for me to take, but I couldn’t turn the opportunity down to be involved at a club like Aberdeen and to work with Derek McInnes and Jim Leighton on a full-time basis.
“It’s an opportunity that rarely comes around but Cheltenham Town will always be the result I look out for first and whenever I am back I will be watching.
“The fans have been brilliant to me and I have enjoyed every minute of it.”