Michael Hector has revealed he turned down the chance to return to Aberdeen after signing a new two-year deal to stay with Championship club Reading.
Hector was a target for the Dons, where he spent the first half of last season on loan, but after a meeting with Royals manager Nigel Adkins, decided to stay at Reading.
The 21-year-old said: “They (Aberdeen) were keen to keep me on loan last season and they said if I didn’t sign a contract with Reading they would like to work with me again.
“So that was always going to be an option but at the end of the season I had a meeting with the manager.
“He said to me that I was in his plans and he wanted me to sign. I was quite happy to stay after that.
“When you know the manager wants you, it’s something really positive.”
Hector has set his sights on establishing himself at the club after signing his new deal.
He said: “I always wanted to sign for Reading. It was just about getting the right terms for me and the club.
“Hopefully now I can have a good pre-season and then try for a place in the starting line-up.
“I haven’t signed to be a squad player. I want to play in the first team.
“I’ve always been like that. That’s why I’ve been out on loan so many times already in my career. I want to play first-team football.”