Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin has praised the impact of globe-trotting head of recruitment Darren Mowbray.
Goodwin insists Mowbray, who arrived at Pittodrie last summer, has a “real eye for a player.”
In the hunt for new signings for a summer rebuild, Mowbray has racked up the air miles by visiting a host of European countries.
The recent signing of Albanian international midfielder Ylber Ramadani is the fruits of that labour.
Capped 15 times Ramadani, 26, penned a three year deal in a £100,000 transfer from Hungarian side MTK Budapest.
Aberdeen have also been linked with a move for Norwegian striker Tobias Lauritsen.
The 24-year-old has scored three goals for Odd in 10 appearances in the Norwegian top flight so far this season.
Aberdeen are also tracking North Macedonian international striker Bojan Miovski.
Capped 11 times Miovski, 26, is currently at MTK Budapest in Hungary, the club the Reds signed Ramadani from.
Moivski netted for North Macedonia in a 4-0 UEFA Nations League defeat of Gibraltar at the weekend.
Search in Europe and South America
Appointed as head of recruitment by the Dons in July 2021, Mowbray also helped secure Dutch winger Vicente Besuijen.
Signed in January on a four-and-a-half year deal from ADO Den Haag for £420,000 Besuijen, 21, has been a hit at Pittodrie.
Goodwin, who started pre-season training with the Dons today, said: “Chairman Dave Cormack restructured the recruitment by bringing in Darren Mowbray.
“Darren has a real eye for a player and we have a similar idea of a player.
“In the first week I was here I sat down with Steven Gunn (director of football) and Darren.
“I gave them exactly the profile of player I want for goalkeeper, centre back, full back, midfield and striker.
“A club the size of Aberdeen should have a director of football and a head of recruitment.
“That head of recruitment should have an army of scouts underneath.
🔴 Our Goal Of The Season, sponsored by Cable Solutions Worldwide, is Vicente Besuijen.
🇳🇱 Congratulations Vinnie! #StandFree pic.twitter.com/sOwFt1EzLA
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) April 28, 2022
“Not just spanning the length and breadth Britain but Europe and worldwide because that’s the size of club we are.
“It’s very easy to sign players from teams you play against in your own league.
“I’m not saying we’ll never do that as sometimes that is worthwhile.
“However we have to go to Europe and South America as well.
“We have to broaden our horizons, there’s no doubt about that.
“That’s we’re working really hard on that.”
Global network of contacts
Appointed at Pittodrie last summer Mowbray was a senior member of Burnley’s football operation, focusing on both European and domestic recruitment.
He also held senior recruitment roles at Leeds United and Middlesbrough.
Mowbray also had a spell with Key Sports Management as head of recruitment and football development.
With a global network of contacts Mowbray and his ‘army of scouts’ have been tasked with securing signings both in the UK and overseas.
Goodwin said: “When I first came in I was delighted to see what was already in place.
“For me a club like Aberdeen should have the kind of recruitment policy it has now.”
Summer transfer window targets
In the hunt for talent Mowbray has visited a host of countries including Netherlands, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Germany.
Closer to home the Reds are also keen on securing Celtic left-sided defender Liam Scales.
Aberdeen’s preference is a permanent deal for Scales who joined the Hoops last summer from Shamrock Rovers.
However the Reds are also open to a loan to buy option.
Scales, 23, made just 13 appearances for the Premiership champions last term.
Wigan Athletic’s Republic of Ireland international midfielder Jamie McGrath and Ipswich keeper Vaclav Hladky are both loan targets.
Goodwin is also keen on Wolves’ Connor Ronan but it understood Hearts are in the driving seat to secure the midfielder.
Aberdeen are also interested in former Blackburn Rovers midfielder Jacob Davenport.
The 23-year-old is a free agent having not been offered a new deal by Blackburn.
Aberdeen have also enquired about St Mirren defender Charles Dunne but the Buddies have priced the stopper at £350,000.
‘Due diligence’ done with targets
Goodwin insists assessing a signing target is about far more than just talent.
With the club’s money on the line background research on aspects such as character and social life also come into the frame before the Dons move to sign.
Goodwin said: “People would be blown away now by the level of detail clubs go into with the research into the recruitment side of things.
“It’s not just about the ability of the player.
“We can all see live in a game the good technical players.
“But we need to find out about the character, background and social life.
“All of these things because it is huge investments.
“Sometimes you are paying hundreds of thousands for these players and giving them similar amounts in salaries.
“Due diligence is needed. Those are the discussions Darren, Steven and myself have on a regular basis.”
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