Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin insists summer signing Ante Palaversa is “showing more and more” with each training session.
Palaversa has yet to start a competitive match for the Dons following his arrival on a one-year contract from French club Troyes.
Aberdeen have an option to extend the deal for a further two years if Palaversa, who was a £6million signing for Manchester City in 2019, impresses this season.
Thelin has high hopes for the 24-year-old and is confident the midfielder will reignite his career at Pittodrie.
Former Croatian under-21 international Palaversa has only featured as a late substitute in the 2-0 win against Kilmarnock since arriving at Pittodrie.
However Palaversa played the full 90 minutes in the 2-0 friendly victory against League One Cove Rangers last week.
Thelin said: “We see a lot of potential in Ante and he is showing more and more every week in training.
“The idea of bringing him here is for him to take it step by step and grow.
“And take positive steps in his career.
“I have high hopes for Ante.”
The potential of a £6million signing
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola made Palaversa his first signing of the January transfer window in 2019.
Guardiola then loaned Palaversa back to Croatian club Hajduk Split, the team where he emerged through the youth ranks before the move to Manchester City.
Palaversa had been on Guardiola’s radar for some time as a potential long-term replacement for Brazilian international legend Fernandinho.
Everton, Southampton and Red Bull Leipzig were also interested in signing the midfielder who was rated as the hottest young star in Croatia.
Palaversa played at every youth level for Croatia from under-14 to under-21.
As a teenager he was compared to Real Madrid and Germany legend Toni Kroos due to his game intelligence.
Palaversa spent loan spells at Getafe in the Spanish top flight and Oostende in Belgium during his time at Manchester City.
In August 2022 the midfielder transferred to Troyes but it was a frustrating time.
The club suffered consecutive relegations to the third tier of French football and changed manager three times.
Troyes are owned by the City Group, the owners of Manchester City, who have an interest in 13 other clubs across the world.
Palaversa impresses against Cove
Palaversa has yet to start a competitive game for Aberdeen, but featured in the testimonial for Blair Yule against Cove Rangers last Tuesday.
Aberdeen won the friendly at the Balmoral Stadium via goals from Shayden Morris and Kevin Nisbet.
Thelin was impressed with Palaversa’s performance.
He said: “Ante did really well against Cove Rangers.
“Especially with how he composed himself on the pitch.
“Ante was always available and dictated the game with his passes and vision.
“Also, he tried to accept responsibility in the defence.
“He has not played that much yet as he only got minutes on the pitch in the last home game (Kilmarnock, 2-0 win).
“It is important to get those minutes.
“It is one thing to train but it is another thing to play a game.”
Thelin to use full squad depth
Under Thelin the Dons have raced to a perfect start of nine wins from nine matches in all competitions.
Palaversa is one of seven signings secured by Thelin in his first transfer window as Aberdeen manager.
Four of those signings have been regular first team starters – Dimitar Mitov, Sivert Heltne Nilsen, Gavin Molloy and Topi Keskinen.
Three others have yet to start – Palaversa, Peter Ambrose and Kevin Nisbet, who joined on a season long loan from Millwall.
Some players in Thelin’s rebuilt squad have been used sparingly so far this season with James McGarry, Vicente Besuijen and Angus MacDonald yet to start in the Premiership.
But the Pittodrie gaffer has reassured those not securing regular starts that their time will come.
Thelin said: “We need a competitive, good squad as it is a long season.
“Things happen and there will be suspensions and injuries.
“Maybe sometimes someone is out of form or whatever.
“Also some players will grow during the season and make more and more of an impact.”
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