Aberdeen transfer target Jay Idzes is a lightning-fast centre-back with aggression to match Graeme Shinnie, says former Go Ahead Eagles team-mate – and Dons youngster – Frank Ross.
Ross, 25, revealed Idzes recently contacted him to get advice on a potential move to Aberdeen.
He gave Idzes a glowing report on the Reds and the Granite City – as Premiership Hibs also target a summer swoop for the defender.
Ex-Dons winger Ross played with centre-back Idzes at the Dutch top-flight club for two seasons from 2020 to 2022.
Ross insists Idzes has the blend of technical skill, pace and aggression to excel at Aberdeen if signed.
He also praised the 22-year-old’s temperament, revealing “everything in his life is designed for football”.
Ross told ‘very good technical footballer’ Idzes ‘everything he needs to know’ about Aberdeen
Ross said: “I was actually speaking to Jay recently about coming to Aberdeen.
“He was asking what Aberdeen as a city is like and what the people are like.
“I told him the nice areas to live and everything he needs to know. It was all good.
“I’m trying to think of players to compare Jay to, but he is kind of unique.
“Jay has the aggression of Graeme Shinnie, is really technical and can play with both feet.
“When I first went to Go Ahead Eagles, he was a CDM (central defensive midfielder).
“However, he has played mostly at centre-back since Go Ahead Eagles were promoted to the Eredivisie (Dutch top-flight).
“Jay is six-foot-three, fast and a very good technical footballer.”
Idzes’ ‘life is designed for football’
Aberdeen tried to sign Idzes during the January window, but a pre-contract move stalled when Jim Goodwin was sacked as manager.
Idzes did not want to commit to the Dons until there was clarity over who the next manager would be.
It is understood Pittodrie’s director of football Steven Gunn kept lines of negotiations open with Idzes’ camp.
There is now managerial clarity, as Barry Robson last month penned a two-year contract to lead Aberdeen until at least the end of the 2024/25 season.
Idzes has started in 32 of Go Ahead Eagles’ 34 league games this season.
The defender started the 2-0 loss at Heerenveen on Sunday.
Ross, now with in the United States with One Knoxville SC, said “He is a top player.
“Go Ahead Eagles’ way of playing is like a Scottish team, aggressive and direct.
“I think he would fit in easy with Aberdeen.
“He is really fast and would fit in very well with the pace of the Scottish game.
“Jay has started nearly every game for Go Ahead Eagles in the Eredivisie.
“He is also one of the most professional players I have ever played with.
“Jay does everything right.
“He doesn’t touch any alcohol and eats all the right food.
“Everything in his life is just designed for football.
“And he is a really nice person as well.”
‘Jay has good banter and would fit right in at Aberdeen’
Aberdeen boss Barry Robson has targeted Idzes as part of a summer transfer window rebuild.
Livingston right-back Nicky Devlin has already agreed to join the Reds in the summer on a two-year contract.
Ross said: “Jay and I arrived at Go Ahead Eagles in the same transfer window and played together for two years.
“We sat close to each other in the changing room and he has good banterm so he will fit right in at Aberdeen.
“Also, his English is very good – he speaks it fluently.
“I only have good things to say about him.”
Ross’ delight for ex team-mate Robson
A product of the Aberdeen youth academy winger, Ross made 14 appearances for the Dons, three of them starts.
He scored a superb free-kick in a 2-1 loss against Rangers on December 3, 2017.
Ross said: “I am buzzing that Barry (Robson) is doing so well.
“I played with him at Aberdeen and you could just tell he was going to be a top coach.
“He is a nice person as well, so I hope he is successful.
“Being back in Europe is great for Aberdeen.”
Ross injury free and loving life in the USA
After that memorable goal against Rangers, much was expected of talented winger Ross at Pittodrie.
However. his Aberdeen career was derailed by injuries and he eventually exited in July 2020 to sign for Go Ahead Eagles.
In Ross’ first season, he won promotion to the Dutch top-flight via a second-placed finish in the Eertse Division.
He impressed in the Eredivisie only to suffer more injury misfortune when tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.
Ross is now starring with in the third tier of American football, having joined One Knoxville SC in December.
He said: “I am in Tennessee and it is 28 degrees today.
“They say by July it will be 35 degrees most days.
“My career has been blighted by injury so far and I just want to have a good season, play as much games as I can and take it from there.
“At Aberdeen, I was doing well then had an horrific two years.
“I moved to Holland and was doing well and then did my ACL.
“It is hard to come back and play in the Eredivisie when you are coming back from an ACL injury, when you are playing against top teams like PSV.
“Playing in Holland is something I will look back on with pride.
“I suppose it is easy to look back with some disappointment that I had injuries.
“But, at the same time, I managed to play in one of the top leagues in Europe and learned a new culture.
“I am really grateful for it.”
Conversation