Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin has challenged returning striker Duk to fight for the club in his bid to reignite his Pittodrie career.
Cape Verde international Duk returned to the Dons during the recent international break after almost three months AWOL.
Duk’s absence from Pittodrie over the summer was the subject of internal disciplinary proceedings by the club.
Attacker Duk said in June he wanted to be sold by Aberdeen during the summer transfer window.
However that transfer did not happen and the 24-year-old returned to Pittodrie a week after the window closed.
Despite Duk’s recent indiscretion, Thelin believes the attacker will go on to have a bright career.
Thelin revealed he had a positive telephone discussion with Duk before the attacker returned to the Granite City.
The Dons manager confirmed Duk returned in “good shape” and is “giving everything” during training sessions.
Thelin says Duk will be in contention to make his first team return soon.
However the Cape Verde international is unlikely to be in the squad to face Motherwell on Saturday as Thelin says he needs time to adapt to the Dons’ new style of play.
And the Dons boss has warned Duk will not just walk back into his in-form team- he will have to earn his place.
He said: “So far I can tell everyone Duk is giving everything he can on the training session, so that’s where we are right now.
“Players can have different dreams or long-term goals as everyone has in some way.
“However the most important thing is that players when they are here should fight for the club and the team they belong to.
“We don’t just give players the chance, they have to deserve the chance.
“So everybody has to work hard and try to improve every week, every training session.
“And it’s the same situation for Duk as for everybody else.
“It will take time for Duk to be on the pitch.
“Duk is in good shape, he’s fit.
“But maybe not for this game (Motherwell) as it’s also the football conditioning and the timing with the teammates.
“He’s going to take some time, but I think quite soon he can be ready to compete for a position inside the squad.”
‘A big career in front of him’
Duk is contracted to Aberdeen until next summer and will be free to speak to other clubs when the transfer window opens on January 1.
Duk had been looking to force a move away from the Dons and refused to return for pre-season.
It is understood Aberdeen dismissed low offers for the striker before the window closed.
Duk’s former club Benfica will be due 50% of any transfer fee.
Thelin said: “I can’t explain the whole process, but it was a good dialogue and then he ended up here
“We talked on the phone before he arrived back and it was a good chat.
“He’s smiling and he’s happy. I think it’s good that he’s back.
“He’s a young guy who has a big career in front of him, so he should be happy and focus on his performance and improving.
“He’s also come into a good squad, a good team, a good dressing room, so I think he’s going to be fine.”
‘It’s about how much passion he shows’
Signed from Benfica in summer 2022, Duk had a superb debut season at Pittodrie where he netted 18 goals in all competitions.
That form earned Duk Aberdeen’s player of the year award for 2022-23.
However he failed to hit the same heights last season and scored only seven goals.
Duk going AWOL came as Thelin began his career at Pittodrie having arrived from Swedish club Elfsborg.
Thelin refuses to dwell on Duk’s actions during the summer.
He said: “You can’t change the past, we have to focus on the future.
“Now we have to be optimistic about the situation.
“I don’t know if forgive is the right word, but I think we are all Aberdeen supporters and we want the best for the club.
“Duk is one of our players who’s going to wear the shirt and the most important thing is he gives 100%.
“That’s the demand we have for everyone, the staff and the players, that now we are here, now we have the focus here.
“Then what happens in the future is another thing.
“It’s about how much passion he shows and how he trains.
“Already he’s shown a lot of good qualities and he’s integrated really well with the squad.
“So for us, it can be a good injection for the future.”
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