Aberdeen’s head of recruitment Russ Richardson is confident his club’s improved profile in Scottish football has made it an attractive proposition for players.
Richardson, who previously worked for Bradford City, Bristol City, Preston North End, Carlisle and Peterborough, has been with the Dons for two years.
The 50-year-old believes the chance to work for Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes and play in a team challenging for honours in Scottish football has made the club an attractive proposition.
The Dons won the League Cup in 2014 which, coupled with consecutive top three finishes in the Scottish Premiership, has been a huge fillip for Richardson.
He said: “Now we have managed to get a couple of players up who have done well, other players and agents have begun to see us as an attractive proposition.
“Securing European football is a boost and players know they can put themselves in the spotlight at Aberdeen.
“I think Aberdeen is regarded as a really positive place to be and a good place to live.
“A lot of players reacted like I did when Derek McInnes first rang me, thinking Aberdeen’s a long way away.
“But quickly you get a feeling for the place, the class of the club and the integrity of how it is run.”
The Dons will begin their pre-season training today in preparation for their return to Europa League action with the first leg of their first round qualifier taking place on July 2.
Caley Thistle left back Graeme Shinnie has already signed a three-year deal, while the Dons have further strengthened ahead of the new campaign by bringing in Ross County defender Paul Quinn and teenage attacker Joe Nuttal, from Manchester City.
Richardson says the Dons have held discussions with the players they want to bring to Pittodrie during the transfer window and are making good progress.
He said: “We have spent the last couple of weeks with those players and their agents.
“We have had good support at boardroom level as always and have got as far as we can now.
“We are not in a position where we can change players’ lives financially overnight.
“Some clubs can and players will make a decision in a heartbeat.
“We have to be more competitive and try to entice people for football reasons over financial ones.
“Players want to look at their options and talk to their agents so it can take time.
“We are now at the point where our main targets have been identified.
“Proposals have been put to them and it is just an on-going process now, we are waiting for replies to the offers we have made.”