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Aberdeen will look to raid the Dutch transfer market again, says boss Stephen Glass

Vicente Besuijen is Aberdeen's latest Dutch master.
Vicente Besuijen is Aberdeen's latest Dutch master.

Boss Stephen Glass confirmed Aberdeen will look to raid the Dutch market in future transfer windows.

Winger Vicente Besuijen has been signed from Dutch second tier side ADO Den Haag.

More signings could follow the 20-year-old from the Netherlands.

Dutch youth international Besuijen was secured until summer 2026.

Glass insists the Dons will look to continue to tap into the Dutch transfer market with head of recruitment Darren Mowbray leading the hunt.

Besuijen was unable to make his debut in the 1-0 loss at St Mirren on Tuesday because the Dons are still waiting for his visa.

It is hoped that visa will be secured in time for the winger to face St Johnstone on Saturday.

New signing Vicente Besuijen of ADO Den Haag against Miguel Angel Leal of ADO Groningen

On the Netherlands, Glass said: “It’s a market that Darren (Mowbray) feels we can tap into.

“He does a lot of work in Europe but has done less than he would have liked to because of Covid and the travel (restrictions).

“Signing Vicente shows the intent of the club to add young, developing talent to the group and club that can be of value going forward.”

Besuijen also targeted by Hibs

Aberdeen have spread their scouting network wide in the January transfer window to land two overseas signings.

The Dons beat off competition from Hibs and a host of MLS clubs to the signature of 21-year-old midfielder Polvara from Georgetown University in the United States.

New Aberdeen signing Vicente Besuijen in action for ADO Den Haag.

Hibs were also beaten to the signature of Besuijen who played 25 times for ADO Den Haag in the Dutch second tier this season, scoring six and delivering 10 assists.

Last season he made 30 appearances in the Dutch top flight.

Aberdeen paid a transfer fee to land Besuijen who was contracted to ADO Den Haag until summer 2023.

The factors in Besuijen’s signing

A host of clubs, including Hibs, were keen on signing Besuijen.

Glass reckons a combination of factors ensured Aberdeen won the race to sign the former Dutch U19 international.

He believes the club’s success at developing young talent was fundamental to the winger committing his future to Aberdeen.

Glass insists Besuijen was also impressed by the Dons past and present – the club’s rich heritage of success and the current squad.

He said: “When you are in demand you have the luxury and can pick and choose.

“You have a choice of teams of who you want to go and play for, in this country and across Europe.

“We are delighted that Vicente chose to come to Aberdeen.

“I think there are multiple reasons why he has.

“From speaking to Vicente the way we have brought young players through was a big selling point.

“He has talked about how he looked at the tradition of the club.

“The history of the club is one of those reasons.

“Also the people that are here.

“The team that he sees playing on the pitch as well because guys have got access to seeing games.”

Vicente Besuijen of ADO Den Haag celebrates his goal 0-1 during the Dutch Eredivisie match against FC Emmen

Signing winger is an ‘investment’

Besuijen was secured by Dutch giants Ajax at the age of nine.

He later joined Volendam and excelled in their academy to such a degree that Serie A Roma brought him to Italy in 2017.

The winger trained with the Roma first team although he did not play for the senior side.

He did however star in the UEFA Youth League, playing against Chelsea and Atletico Madrid.

New Aberdeen signing Vicente Besuijen whilst at ADO Den Haag in action.

Glass said: “The club paid a transfer fee to get him, that is how much we feel that he can come and help us.

“It is an investment in the club and in young players.

“His pedigree is top level and we want to make him even better than he his at the moment.”

Latest in rich heritage of Dutch stars

The winger is the latest in a strong tradition of Dutch players signing for Aberdeen.

Dutch international Hans Gillhaus arrived at Pittodrie for £650,000 in 1989, having just played in a European Cup final for PSV Eindhoven.

Gilhaus made an immediate impact with a double on his debut against Dunfermline.

One of those debut goals was a memorable over-head kick.

Gilhaus would go on to win the Scottish Cup with the Dons.

Keeper Theo Snelders was signed for £300,000 from FC Twente to replace Jim Leighton in 1988.

Snelders won the League Cup and Scottish Cup double in 1989-90.

The Dutch market also yielded English midfielder Paul Mason who was signed from Groningen for £200,000 in 1988.

Mason netted both goals in a 2-1 League Cup final defeat of Rangers in 1989.

Other memorable imports from the Dutch leagues were Willem van der Ark, Peter van de Ven and Theo ten Caat.

Glass said: “There is a little bit of tradition of Dutch players coming over.

“Famously back in the late eighties, early nineties there were a lot of Dutch players coming over.

“A lot of players like Hans Gilhaus and other guys came over and did particularly well under Alex Smith.”